Unprecedented hardness of polycrystalline diamond via laser surface engineering

The use of polycrystalline diamond (PCD) as a tool material for machining intractable alloys has increased due to their excellent abrasive and wear properties. In this study, the first time, novel low-energy/high-frequency laser shock peening technique (LE/HF-LSP) is proposed control mechanical surface properties PCD. This utilises energies below ablation threshold (10–100 mJ), high frequencies (35–70 kHz) short pulse durations (in region ns) applied target with/without sacrificial coatings. results samples processed using without coatings revealed 14% increase micro-hardness in comparison commercially available PCDs. addition, showed reduction cobalt volume by 18.42% compared case increasing range 16.4 66.3%. It was also observed that vinyl & quartz coatings, improved hardness from 150 GPa 230 GPa. On other hand, fluence above 102.29 J/cm2 with soda-lime glass ablative transparent overlays softening material. A transition between tensile compressive stress been when quartz. Graphitisation deformation have obtained XRD Raman spectroscopy. correlation modification, phase changes PCDs revealing relationship fluence. believed suitable variety acoustic impedances can be effective controlling