Diamond wear mechanisms are different at different temperatures

Scientists used molecular dynamics and corrosion experiments to simulate the wear process of diamond tools. The results showed that diamond wear mechanisms are different at different temperatures. When the temperature reaches above 1000 K, tool wear is mainly caused by the exchange of carbon atoms on the diamond surface with iron atoms in the steel alloy; when the temperature drops below 900 K, tool wear is mainly caused by the precipitation of oxides in the steel workpiece caused by the oxidation reaction.

Molecular dynamics simulation confirmed that under the action of iron, the structure of diamond at the cutting edge begins to change from cubic diamond to hexagonal graphite, and then graphitic carbon diffuses to the iron surface.