Nothing symbolises luxury quite like a beautiful sparkling diamond, whether it comes in the form of a giant engagement ring or a more subtle pair of classy stud earrings. Everyone knows that diamonds are a girl’s best friend, and they can glam up even the simplest of outfits with the greatest of ease.
But whilst we’re accustomed to thinking of diamonds as an object of beauty, they are much more than just an adornment or a sophisticated accessory, and in fact are used in many ways that you may have never realised. In fact, the diamond is a versatile tool with many uses – not only is it the hardest substance known to mankind, but it is also resistant to chemicals and an effective conductor of heat. Around 80% of the world’s diamonds are used in industry, where they are known as industrial diamonds, and their uses are endless.
Cutting tool manufacturers insert diamonds into their blades to improve the cutting capability of their machines, and road reconditioning companies rely on diamond saws to cut concrete! Yes, they really are that durable. Raw diamonds are also used for oil, mineral and gas exploration, serving as a component of the metal tips of drill bits, and believe it or not, they even play a role used in the production of optical lenses, where diamond powder and grit are used in grinding wheels to grind the lenses into shape.
Suffice it to say, the diamond is not just one of the most valuable stones on this earth, but one of the most useful, too. We sat down with the experts at Element Six – a global leader in the design, development and production of synthetic supermaterials for over 50 years – to find out three unbelievable ways diamonds are used in industry.
Manufacturing Aircrafts
Would you believe us if we told you that your favourite jewel could be used in the manufacture of aircrafts? Yes, that’s right – if it wasn’t for synthetic diamonds, then those regular jet-setting getaways might not be on the cards at all.
Used in precision cutting, milling, drilling and grinding applications in the production of aerospace components and systems, these multi-tasking materials have meant that the introduction of materials that were previously difficult to machine has thegone as smoothly as possible, and diamond-based supermaterials produced by the likes of Element Six have delivered increased cutting speeds, improved operational productivity and extended tool lives. Diamond coatings are even used in fighter planes to make their infrared windows scratch-proof – a pretty impressive application that is unlikely to have ever crossed your mind!
Next time you’re booking that First Class flight, spare a thought for all the beautiful diamonds that made it all possible – it may well add an unexpected air of luxury to your journey.
Healthcare
When most of us go to the hospital for a routine operation, the last thing on our minds is the machinery in the operating theatre – and even less so, the materials which made them. But the valuable diamond is so much more than a pretty face, and even has the ability to save lives – indirectly, perhaps, but the role they play is key.
Single crystal synthetic diamond are integral to the healthcare industry, where they are primarily used in laser treatments, surgical applications and radiotherapy dosimetry detectors. Thanks to their unique combination of thermal and optical properties, some of the main applications of synthetic diamonds include laser-based technologies used in non-invasive surgery, which may eventually replace traditional surgery due to the fact that they can simplify complex operations whilst minimising the time they take. Used in x-ray machines, lasers and vacuum chambers as membranes to protect any openings in the devices, this incredible stone’s uses truly know no bounds.
Helping the Car Manufacturing Industry
That luxury car you drive? You can be pretty sure that diamonds played a part in bringing it to fruition, with synthetic diamond supermaterials again being called upon for their range of impressive qualities. When you purchase a quality car, you can be sure that the same can be said for each and every component; everything is manufactured to the most stringent of standards, and the result is a true masterpiece.
Industrial diamond materials are used throughout the automotive industry, including the production of critical engine and gearbox components, constant velocity joints and wheel and brake disc assembly, window manufacture and mold die production. Again, they are vital in cutting, milling, drilling and grinding.
