Abstract

UV Raman spectroscopy (UVRS) and SEM are used to determine the type and quantity of nondiamond carbon in CVD diamond films. In addition, we examined degradation of CVD diamond coated and conventional polycrystalline diamond (PCD) tool inserts in the metal cutting environment and compared this degradation to that in oxidizing environments at elevated temperatures. The UVRS measurements show that the cutting process decreases the relative intensity of diamond to nondiamond carbon Raman bands. In contrast, oxidation of CVD diamond films increases the relative intensity of diamond to nondiamond carbon bands.