An auger electron spectroscopy study of the surface of Ni-Mo cemented Ti(CN) substrates used for deposition of crystalline diamond particles

The surface composition of Ni-Mo cemented Ti(CN) tool inserts was studied by Auger electron spectroscopy under various conditions associated with diamond particle deposition in a microwave plasma using CH 4−H 2 mixtures as the feedstock. The presence of a nickel-rich phase at the surface did not appear to prohibit diamond particle growth, but rather reduced the growth rate relative to a pure TiC surface. Surfaces deliberately enriched in the nickel binder phase did, however, appear to show poor adherence for continuous diamond films grown on them.