The Science Behind Buehler Diamond

Optimizing our Diamond for your Polishing Needs

Since Buehler introduced our MetaDi diamond polishing compounds in 1946 we have been the leading experts in diamonds for metallographic laboratory needs. When it comes to creating the optimal diamond compound for metallurgical preparation, we’ve identified three major factors:

The concentration of diamond in polishing solutions can greatly impact the effectiveness of your process. Too little diamond in suspensions results in poor polishing efficiency and slow removal rates, while too much diamond can also reduce the efficiency of your process. See the graph below to see how Buehler’s MetaDi Suspensions have been optimized for diamond concentration.

In addition to having optimized diamond concentration, Buehler has used our years of experience to create the perfectly balanced diamond suspension formulation with an optimized carrier for our diamond solutions that require no additional extender. To see ordering information for Buehler’s Diamond Suspensions and Pastes.

The size and distribution of the diamond particles greatly affect the quality of sample finish. Failure to control these parameters could result in unwanted coarse scratches remaining at the end of a particular polishing step. Size and particle distribution are the result of grading techniques used in the manufacturing process. Buehler maintains strict quality control of particles within a tighter tolerance and concentration, to keep your polishing efficient and repeatable. See the difference below for poorly graded diamond distribution versus Buehler’s tightly controlled MetaDi Diamond Suspensions and pastes.

The shape of diamond particles has a distinct impact on the polishing rate achieved. To choose the appropriate diamond formulation for your application it’s important to understand first what kind of diamond shape meets your application needs. There are two main types of diamond shapes in used in Buehler’s MetaDi Diamond Suspensions and Pastes, monocrystalline and polycrystalline. Monocrystalline diamond has a less faceted surface, resulting in sharp, blocky particles. In contrast, polycrystalline diamonds tend to be multi-faceted in shape. See the figure below to compare the two.

Monocrystalline formulations, such as those used in our MetaDi formulation are typically more cost effective but tend to have lower removal rates and can result in longer polishing times. Monocrystalline formulations are a great solution for use with ceramics. In contrast, our MetaDi Supreme formulation with polycrystalline diamond has much higher removal rates and faster preparation times. In addition to being faster, our polycrystalline MetaDi Supreme formulation produces less deformation and results in a better surface finish. See the difference in removal rate of our MetaDi (monocrystalline) and MetaDi Supreme(polycrystalline) in the chart below. Find ordering information on all of Buehler’s diamond suspensions and pastes.

In addition to our diamond solutions, Buehler offers a large variety of polishing cloths to meet your unique applications. Check out our Polishing Application Guide or reach out to our lab team to optimize your polishing process.