Growth of diamond crystals by combustion synthesis

Abstract Low-pressure synthesis of diamond by activated chemical vapour deposition processes is attractive for producing diamond films for optical and electronic (i.e. non-abrasive) applications because of the ability of these processes to produce these films in large dimensions. The low growth rate (about 1 μm h−1) has, however, precluded these processes for abrasive grain production on simple economic grounds. With the introduction of combustion synthesis of diamond at growth rates exceeding 100μmh−1, this barrier seems less formidable than it once did. The synthesis of large (about 200 μm) well formed single crystals of diamond by the combustion process with growth rates of about 100μm h−1, reported here, offers an opportunity to explore the potential of this process for abrasive grain production.