"Martin H. Eastburn" wrote in message
t...

I think we need to think about this a little.

Diamond cutting tools are steel based and cut steel HSS and carbide
drills and mills. Perhaps there is transference, but not all that
much ?

Martin

They may do that, but are they recommended for the application? Dunno.
I've never used diamond turning or milling tools. If so, do they recommend
specific speeds, to keep the temperature down? That's the critical point.

I'm not convinced I'm the right person to answer the degree of transfer, but
for diamonds that rely on sharp corners to do their work, it takes very
little to change them appreciably. Iron has an affinity for carbon, and it
isn't proud where it gets it. Up to the point of saturation, so long as
the temperature permits transfer, it will absorb it. That tells me that
prolonged contact at high temperature, iron could literally absorb a
complete diamond.

It's not a heat thing alone, nor is it an iron thing. Diamonds will
withstand soldering (re-tipping prongs, for example) with no ill affects,
and they can withstand a constant dressing of aluminum oxide or silicon
carbide wheels, even large ones such as are found on centerless grinders.
They are often 24" in diameter and 8" or more wide. Heat isn't a problem,
but combined with iron, it quickly becomes one. That's about the extent of
what I know, and from experience, I know that contacting diamond wheels with
iron (steel) is a mistake. The typical diamond wheel feels as if it's been
greased once steel has been applied. Sorry I'm not more help.

Harold