What Are Diamond Pastes?
Diamond pastes are abrasive compounds created by uniformly dispersing diamond particles, including non-gem-grade natural diamonds and synthetic diamonds, in oil and fat.
They are known for their exceptionally stable polishing capabilities.
Applications of Diamond Pastes
Diamond pastes find applications as abrasives in various industries and uses:
- They are used for polishing metal and non-metal materials, including hardened and raw steel, cemented carbide, stainless steel, duralumin, aluminum, brass, and various other hard and soft metals.
- They are also used for polishing non-metal materials such as ceramics, ferrites, silicon and germanium semiconductors, glass, plastics, and precious or semi-precious stones like rubies, sapphires, menorahs, and crystals.
- Furthermore, diamond pastes are employed in the polishing of plastic molds and metals, as well as for achieving final mirror finishes.
- Due to their paste form, they are particularly suitable for polishing intricate or curved shapes that can be challenging with other abrasives.
Principles of Diamond Pastes
1. Composition of Diamond Pastes
Diamond pastes consist of finely dispersed diamond particles uniformly mixed in a viscous gel, liquid, or solid base. This ensures that the diamond particle content remains consistent with each use, allowing for effective and consistent abrasion. Diamond pastes are available in various particle sizes to suit different materials and applications.
2. Characteristics of Diamond Pastes
Diamond pastes maintain their paste form, preventing abrasive runoff, unlike liquid abrasives. This feature makes them suitable for polishing intricate shapes and curved surfaces that are challenging with other abrasives.
They are available in both oil-based and water-based variants. Water-based diamond pastes can be easily washed off with water, facilitating cleanup after polishing. In contrast, oil-based diamond pastes are more suitable for use on surfaces prone to rust.
Additional Information about Diamond Pastes
1. Diamond Paste Grain Size
Diamond paste products are labeled with a “#xx” designation, indicating the grain size, which measures the size of the abrasive particles. Higher numbers represent smaller grain sizes and finer polishing.
For example, #16, with a smaller grain size, is used for rough finishing, while #10000, with a larger grain size, is used for achieving mirror finishes. It’s important to note that this notation may vary among manufacturers, so it’s advisable to contact the distributor for precise information.
2. How to Use Diamond Pastes
Industrial Applications
In industrial settings, diamond pastes are often diluted with a suitable diluent to adjust concentration and hardness for specific applications. The paste is then applied to an abrasive cloth or a plate, such as steel or glass, and used to polish the workpiece. During this process, the diamonds in the paste create abrasion on the polishing surface. When the polishing cloth or plate becomes worn, it should be flipped or replaced with a new one.
DIY Use
For DIY and similar applications, it is recommended to use artificial woolen sheets in addition to the paste. These sheets have uniform fibers and are ideal for achieving mirror finishes. Apply an appropriate amount of paste to the woolen sheet and perform hairline or circular finishing. Be mindful not to use too much or too little paste during polishing. Circle finishing, in particular, helps achieve even and uniform results. Avoid wiping off the paste with cleaning agents while polishing to maintain a glossy finish. Diamond pastes can restore old, rusty metals to a mirror-like finish.