Superhard tool industry continues to grow at a high speed to meet market demand

**Abstract** **Introduction:** In recent years, China's super-hard tool industry has experienced significant growth and made remarkable progress. Due to the superior performance of these tools and the increasing demand in the market, the industry is expected to continue growing at a rapid pace. The momentum behind China's super-hard tool development is evident, with numerous achievements already made. Major industries such as aerospace, automotive, and energy are increasingly seeking cost-effective solutions and local production options for super-hard tools, which creates favorable conditions for the expansion of this sector in China. **Overview of Super-Hard Tools** Super-hard tools are primarily made from advanced materials such as diamond, cubic boron nitride (CBN), and ceramics. This article focuses on diamond and CBN-based tools. The development of synthetic super-hard materials began in the 1950s. In 1955, General Electric (GE) successfully produced synthetic diamonds using high-pressure and high-temperature methods. A year later, cubic boron nitride (CBN) was also synthesized under similar conditions. These man-made materials significantly expanded the range of available materials and opened new frontiers in the field of "super-hard materials." Initially, they were mainly used in abrasive applications. In 1977, GE developed polycrystalline diamond (PCD) and polycrystalline cubic boron nitride (PCBN) compacts, which were then used to manufacture cutting tools. This advancement allowed artificial super-hard materials to be applied not only in grinding but also in cutting, marking a new era in cutting technology. Practical applications have shown that diamond tools can increase tool life by tens or even hundreds of times compared to cemented carbide tools when machining non-ferrous metals. Although CBN is slightly less rigid than diamond, it remains the hardest material available for machining hardened ferrous metals. Many modern machining concepts—such as green machining, car grinding, milling grinding, hard machining, high-speed cutting, and dry cutting—are all driven by the use of super-hard tools. As a result, these tools have become a key driver of modern cutting technology and a major factor in the development of high-end manufacturing. For example, in high-speed milling operations, PCD face mills used for aluminum cylinder heads can reach speeds up to 4,021 m/min, while CBN face mills for gray cast iron can operate at speeds up to 2,000 m/min—ten times faster than traditional carbide cutters. **Development of Modern Super-Hard Materials and Technology** Foreign companies have consistently invested in research and development of super-hard materials and tools, introducing new ideas, processes, and products every year. **Advancements in Super-Hard Material Technology** 1. **New PCD Grades** Recent developments include improved PCD grades with enhanced properties. For instance, a British company introduced the WPC102 grade, featuring a multi-layer structure designed to improve impact resistance and edge toughness. It is ideal for both micro and macro interrupted cutting applications, such as cutting carbon fiber-reinforced plastics. Another example is the CTM302 grade, which combines fine and coarse diamond particles to enhance wear resistance and toughness. In the U.S., the Compax1200 PCD grade features a 1.5 µm grain size and improved heat dissipation, making it suitable for materials like Ti6Al4V, which have poor thermal conductivity. 2. **Single-Crystal Diamond Technology** Originally used in high-precision tools, single-crystal diamonds are now mostly manufactured artificially due to the scarcity of natural sources. While they offer high wear resistance and sharp edges, their anisotropic nature and high processing demands make them more expensive and challenging to use. **Challenges and Future Prospects** (1) **Achievements in China’s Super-Hard Tool Industry** After years of development, China’s super-hard tool industry has made significant progress. Key achievements include the establishment of specialized enterprises, the adoption of advanced equipment, continuous innovation in super-hard materials, and the production of high CBN concentration blades that compare favorably with foreign counterparts. These tools have contributed to various industries. (2) **Gaps in China’s Super-Hard Tool Industry** Despite progress, several challenges remain. First, there is a heavy reliance on imported raw materials, especially for CBN and PCD tools. Domestic CBN blanks may perform well in high-content applications but lag in lower-content ones. Similarly, domestic PCD composite films are still not widely used. Second, the overall level of domestic super-hard tools is relatively low, with limited independent innovation. Product quality is unstable, variety is limited, and many manufacturers rely on imitation rather than R&D. Third, most Chinese manufacturers lack a complete production chain, including material preparation, cutting, welding, surface treatment, sharpening, and testing. (3) **Opportunities for Growth** Despite these challenges, China’s super-hard tool industry is showing strong growth. The rapid development of cutting technologies and new materials has increased demand for advanced tooling. With the widespread adoption of CNC machine tools, users are becoming more aware of the benefits of super-hard tools. Additionally, the cost of these tools is gradually decreasing, lowering the entry barrier for users. Major industries are pushing for localized production to reduce costs, further supporting the growth of the sector. Over time, the quality and recognition of Chinese super-hard tools are improving. **Conclusion** Given the inherent advantages of super-hard tools and the rising market demand, the industry is poised for continued high-speed growth. Through targeted R&D, technological upgrades, and closer collaboration between industry, academia, and research institutions, China’s super-hard tool industry is set to experience a period of sustained development and success.

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