Sintered diamond tools: trends, challenges and prospects

Recent trends in the technology, production and applications of diamond tooling are reviewed. The continuing fall in the price of synthetic diamond as production volumes increase provides a strong incentive for tooling companies to reduce the cost of matrix materials and of their manufacturing processes, with an accompanying need for research in these areas. Diamond wires for the cutting of granite and other rock continues to grow in application and provides another focus for materials and technology advances.