Compressive strength of synthetic diamond grits containing metallic nanoparticles

1077-3118

AIP Digital Archive

Physics

Synthetic diamonds made by high-temperature and high-pressure synthesis using an Fe–Co solvent/catalyst leave nanoparticles of the solvent/catalyst within the diamond matrix. These nanoparticles strongly affect the magnetic properties of the diamond. The magnetization versus field was compatible with the response of superparamagnetic particles. The mean size and separation of the inclusions were calculated. The inclusion size was found to be constant to within 10%, whereas the saturation magnetization varied by a factor of 100. A transmission electron microscope image of a single inclusion from a Fe–Co/diamond grit showed a dark, iron-rich core surrounded by a halo of material of intermediate contrast to the lighter diamond matrix. The size of the core is consistent with the magnetization measurements while the halo is of similar size to that determined by small-angle neutron scattering. The compressive strength increased linearly with the inclusion separation. © 2000 American Institute of Physics.

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