No presente estudo foi introduzido zinco na mistura reativa composta por Ni-Mn e grafite. O objetivo da impregnação da mistura com zinco foi tentar controlar o processo de nucleação e crescimento dos cristais de diamante. Os resultados obtidos mostraram que a adição de zinco promove um significativo aumento na produtividade dos cristais, em torno de 40%, permitindo ainda a obtenção de cristais com alta friabilidade.

In the present work zinc was introduced in the reactive mixture composed by Ni-Mn and graphite. The main objective of the zinc impregnation was to control the diamond nucleation process and crystal growth of particles. The results indicated that the zinc addition promotes a significant diamond yield by synthesis cycle, around 40%. Additionally, the diamond powder obtained has a high friability.

The synthesis mechanism associated with the formation of carbonado type polycrystalline diamond has been analyzed. This analysis was performed by computer simulation of the field of temperature developed at the moment of graphite transformation into polycrystalline diamond. It was found that during the synthesis of this carbonado diamond, a strong non-steady thermal condition occurs, leading to changes in the thermodynamic equilibrium. As a consequence, a region comprising non-transformed graphite and carbonado with different characteristics is established. An experimental comparison was carried out between the carbonado hardness profile and the field of temperatures. The results show that the higher the temperature attained at local points inside the high-pressure chamber, the higher the hardness of the diamond. The simulation and experimental results indicated that concurrent mechanisms are acting during the carbonado synthesis.

Foram estudadas as propriedades mecânicas dos compósitos com partículas dispersas de diamante em matriz de resina epóxi curada com diferentes proporções de endurecedor caracterizadas pela razão resina/endurecedor. Investigou-se também o comportamento termomecânico através de ensaios de DMA (Análise Dinâmico-Mecânica). No presente trabalho foi feita uma completa avaliação das propriedades mecânicas e termomecânicas no amplo intervalo de razão resina/endurecedor associado a possíveis aplicações tecnológicas. Foram fabricados compósitos com até 30% em peso de partículas de diamante dispersas em matriz epóxi do tipo DGEBA/TETA com diferentes razões resina/endurecedor, variando de 7 a 21. Para todas as condições investigadas a resistência diminuiu com a quantidade incorporada de diamante. Para matrizes com razão resina/endurecedor acima do estequiométrico 13, os compósitos apresentaram melhor desempenho mecânico. Os resultados dos ensaios termomecânicos mostraram que o módulo de armazenamento dos compósitos aumenta com a quantidade incorporada de diamante. Através da tangente delta foi possível avaliar prováveis mecanismos que contribuem para o desempenho termomecânico destes compósitos.

The mechanical properties of composites with dispersed diamond particles in epoxy matrix cured with different proportions of hardener to monomer ratio, characterized by the resin/hardener ratio (phr) were studied. An investigation on the thermo-mechanical behavior of these composites was also carried out by dynamical mechanical analysis (DMA). In the present work a complete evaluation of the mechanical properties was carried in a wide interval of phr associated with possible technological applications. Composites with up to 30 wt. % of diamond particles dispersed in type DGEBA/TETA epoxy matrix were fabricated with phr ratios varying from 7 to 21. For all investigated conditions, the composite strength decreased with the amount of incorporated diamond. Matrices with phr above the stoichiometric 13 were associated with composites with better mechanical performance. The DMA results showed that the storage modulus increases with the amount of diamond particles incorporated in the composite. The values obtained for the delta tangent, allowed an evaluation of possible mechanisms that contribute to the thermal mechanical performance of these composites.

Ligas de metal duro (WC/Co) são geralmente processadas pelas técnicas da metalurgia do pó, que compreende mistura dos pós elementares, compactação e sinterização por fase líquida, com ou sem a posterior prensagem isostática a quente (HIP). Uma nova rota de processamento de metal duro é aqui apresentada, chamada de altas pressões e altas temperaturas (HPHT). Neste trabalho foi estudada a sinterização da liga WC/10% pesoCo a 5GPa, nas temperaturas de 1200, 1300, e 1400ºC, para os tempos de 1 e 2 minutos. Os melhores resultados obtidos foram: densidade =95,6%, dureza HV45 =10GPa e tenacidade à fratura K Ic=11MPa.m½.

Hardmetal is usually processed by the conventional powder technology techniques: mix of WC + Co powders, compacting, and liquid phase sintering. A new method to process hardmetal parts are described here. Parts of WC/10%wt Co were processed by using high pressure and high temperature sintering. It was used the pressure of 5GPa, temperatures of 1200, 1300, and 1400ºC, and times of 1and 2 minutes of sintering. The best results was density =95,5%, hardness HV45 =10GPa and fracture toughness of K Ic =11MPa.m½.

Os compósitos a base de nitreto cúbico de boro (cBN) atualmente se destacam na usinagem de metais e ligas de dureza elevada, podendo substituir a retífica. A efetividade de utilização dos compósitos de cNB depende, em geral, do estudo da tenacidade do inserto. A obtenção de pastilhas de cBN, realiza-se sob altas pressões até 8 GPa e temperaturas de até 2000ºC. Em condições não hidrostáticas, as tensões internas têm valores significantes, diminuindo a vida útil da ferramenta. Para aumentar a tenacidade e a eficiência de uso foi proposto o tratamento térmico complementar em condições de vácuo sob temperaturas de até 1000ºC e tempo de 1hora. As pastilhas de cBN foram sinterizadas à pressão de 7,7 GPa e temperatura de 1600ºC. A composição da pastilha utilizada foi de 65%p de cBN e 35%p de ligante. Para determinação de nível de desgaste durante usinagem foi utilizado aço 4140 com dureza de 56-58HRc. Comparando a efetividade de usinagem das pastilhas de cBN obtidas com o compósito Elbor®, pôde ser notado que o tratamento térmico complementar aumentou a capacidade de usinagem da pastilha de cBN em 40%.

Cubic Boron Nitride (cBN) composites play an important role within metals and hardened alloys machining field, usually removing grinding from production processes. The effectiveness of cNB composites depends, in general, on insert toughness studies. Cubic boron nitride compacts are produced by sintering under high pressure high temperature (HPHT) conditions, up to 8 GPa and 2000°C. At non-hydrostatic parameters, internal stresses have significant values, decreasing tool life. In this study, the addicional thermal treatment (in vaccum, under temperatures up to 1000ºC for 1 hour) is proposed as a way for increasing toughness and tool efficiency. The parameters used for sintering were 7.7 GPa and 1600ºC, with samples composition of 65%w of cBN and 35%w of binder. Wear level was determined during machining of an AISI 4140 steel hardened to 56-58HRc. Comparing machining results of obtained samples and Elbor® composite, it could be noticed that the addicional thermal treatment improved cBN inserts machining capability in 40%.

The properties and structural characteristics of polycrystalline diamonds synthesized at high pressure and high temperature are strongly influenced by the distribution of temperature inside the reaction chamber. This distribution cannot be directly measured during the graphite to diamond transformation. In this work a mathematical model associated with a computational analysis was developed to simulate the chamber, point to point, temperature distribution throughout the synthesis process. The simulation results obtained are in agreement with experimental data found in the literature. Moreover, it was possible to explain the restriction that exists regarding the use of graphites with different densities.

The work reported on here involved the development of several samples of "diamond-SiC" composite produced under sintering pressures of up to 9.0 GPa at temperatures of up to 1973 7K. The average size of the diamond micropowder crystals used was 40/28 µm. The sintering process was carried out in a 2500-ton hydraulic press equipped with an anvil-type high-pressure device having a toroidal work surface and a central concavity diameter of 20 mm. The microhardness and wear resistance of the samples were found to be dependent on the sintering pressure. The experimental results indicated that the maximum microhardness and minimum wear resistance coefficients of each compact were attained when the pressure applied during sintering exceeded 6.5 GPa. Based on the established values of pressure, this study served to identify the types of devices applicable for the manufacture of composite material inserts for a variety of rock drilling applications.

We propose an original route to process diamond wires, denominated In Situ Technology, whose fabrication involves mechanical conformation processes, such as rotary forging, copper tubes restacking, and thermal treatments, such as sintering and recrystallisation of a bronze 4 wt.% diamond composite. Tensile tests were performed, reaching an ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of 230 MPa for the diameter of <FONT FACE=Symbol>Æ</FONT> = 1.84 mm. Scanning electron microscopy showed the diamond crystals distribution along the composite rope during its manufacture, as well as the diamond adhesion to the bronze matrix. Cutting tests were carried out with the processed wire, showing a probable performance 4 times higher than the diamond sawing discs, however its probable performance was about 5 to 8 times less than the conventional diamond wires (pearl system) due to the low abrasion resistance of the bronze matrix, and low adhesion between the pair bronze-diamond due to the use of not metallised diamond single crystals.