As is well known, superhard cutting tools mainly include cubic boron nitride (CBN) cutting tools and diamond cutting tools, and diamond cutting tools can be further divided into single crystal diamond cutting tools and PCD cutting tools. So what is the difference between single crystal diamond cutting tools and PCD cutting tools?

The difference between single crystal diamond cutting tools and PCD cutting tools is as follows:

1. Application differences

Single crystal diamond is almost exclusively used for high-precision precision machining, and its extremely thin cutting ability ensures extremely high dimensional accuracy.

PCD cutting tools are suitable for processing aluminum and other non ferrous alloys with good toughness (such as copper, brass, and bronze), as well as composite materials with high abrasion resistance (such as graphite, carbon carbon materials, carbonized phenolic aldehyde, glass fiber, and porous sealing materials). And PCD is more suitable for rough machining and machining situations that require high tool fracture toughness.

2. Cutting edge and machining differences

1）The condition of polycrystalline diamond (PCD) and single crystal diamond cutting tools under a metallographic microscope shows that the edge of the cutting edge of polycrystalline PCD is clearly serrated, while single crystal diamond is smooth and smooth.

2）Differences in processing. The cutting edge of polycrystalline diamond (PCD) tools is composed of many fine crystals, so during machining and turning, the surface of the workpiece will also show traces caused by small grains. Single crystal diamond cutting tools can directly replicate the perfect state of the blade onto the workpiece being processed.

In summary, the difference lies in the use of single crystal diamond cutting tools and PCD cutting tools. Overall, PCD cutting tools, which are known for their durability in non-ferrous metal processing, are more widely used than single crystal diamond cutting tools. However, in ultra precision machining industries such as optics, precision component accessories, medical devices, and 3C, the advantages of single crystal diamond cutting tools far outweigh those of PCD cutting tools.