NATURAL AND SYNTHETIC DIAMOND ABRASIVES

Micron+

(3.3.6)

A COMPREHENSIVE RANGE

The Micron+ Series

Element Six provides a

complete range of micron
powders in natural and
synthetic diamond and
cubic boron nitride (cBN).
As a major producer of
diamond and cBN
abrasives, Element Six
exercises control over the
source materials from
which the five Micron+
products are processed. The highest level of quality
assurance and proprietary quality control procedures are
employed in the manufacture of Micron+ series products.
This ensures the best possible product consistency and
uniformity for each of the five products in this range.

Important aspects of Micron+ production are the control

of size separation and subsequent size measurement.

Proprietary micronising
procedures
With more than fifty years experience in developing and
producing precision graded products, Element Six has
developed proprietary methods of micron production.
The use of these methods, coupled with strict quality
control procedures, guarantees that all Micron+ products
conform to or exceed industry standards. Technical
quantitative measurements are available on request.

Accurate size separation

Important aspects of micron production are the control
of size separation and subsequent size measurement.
Element Six imposes controls on the size distribution
and the maximum particle size present in each batch.
Material is analysed using laser diffraction techniques,
optical microscopy and also scanning electronmicroscopy. Element Six uses the longest
single dimension method for optical
sizing as shown in the idealised
illustration for a statistically
representative number of particles.
This allows for the determination of
Longest single
average particle size and maximum
dimension
particle size. Variations in average particle
size and size distribution can lead to
unpredictable behaviour during use, and the presence
of oversized particles can cause workpiece damage,
particularly in ultra-high precision applications such as
lens grinding and silicon wafer slicing.

Strict process control

Element Six controls the size distributions of its micron products
to strict specifications, thereby providing a consistent and
accurately-graded product to the market. This means that, in
addition to the standard sizes available, Element Six can tailor
products to suit specific requests. Element Six Micron+ powders
are designed to have sharp, blocky, slightly irregular crystals
for optimal material removal, whilst providing long
and active product life. Control of product
purity is important in bonded tool
manufacture, and proprietary
cleaning methods are employed to
remove contamination and ensure
the product conforms to the most
exacting specifications.

The Element Six

guarantee
The products in the Micron+ series,
like all Element Six products, are subjected to strict quality
assurance during the manufacturing process. Registration and
rigorous application of the ISO9001:2000 quality standard ensures
repeatability and batch consistency throughout the product range.
This standard applies throughout the manufacturing process from
raw material supply to final packaging. All products in the Micron+
series are available in individual, factory-sealed containers in
quantities up to 25,000 carats and are obtainable only via
authorised Element Six distribution offices worldwide. Each
container is bar-coded to ensure traceability throughout the
entire manufacturing operation.

The Micron+ Products

Micron+ MDA Standard Sizes (m)

MICRON+ MDA
Micron+ MDA is produced from selected metal bond diamond
raw material using dedicated manufacturing procedures to ensure
accurate size separation. Individual particles are blocky and
irregular in shape to ensure excellent abrasive action and
enhanced performance.

0-0.10
0-0.25
0-0.5
0-1
0-2
0.5-1
0.5-3
0.75-1.5
1-2
1-3
2-4

3-6
4-8
6-12
8-16
10-20
15-25
15-30
20-30
20-40
25-35

30-40
30-50
30-60
40-60
40-80

other sizes available on request

Micron+ CDA Standard Sizes (m)

0-0.25
0-0.5
0-1
0-2
0.5-1
0.5-3
0.75-1.5
1-2
1-3
2-4

3-6
4-8
6-12*
8-16*
10-20*
15-25*
15-30*
20-30*
20-40*
25-35*

MICRON+ CDA
Micron+ CDA is produced from resinoid diamond grit. This
product consists of irregular shaped, blocky crystals which are
friable. With bonded abrasives, a superior performance may be
obtained from metal clad grit. To cater for this, Micron+
CDA50C is available, clad to 50% by weight with copper, in
addition to Micron+ CDA55N, clad to 55% by weight with
nickel. Both products are offered in sizes down to and
including 6 - 12 micron.

other sizes available on request

* available in metal clad

30-40*
30-60*
40-60*
40-80*

Micron+ SND Standard Sizes (m)

0-0.25
0-0.5
0-1
0.5-1
0.75-1.5
1-2
1-3
2-4

3-6
4-8
6-12
8-16
10-20
15-25
15-30
20-30
20-40
25-35

30-40
30-60
40-60
40-80

MICRON+ SND
other sizes available on request

Micron+ SND is produced from natural diamond grit using dedicated

micronising techniques. It consists of uniformly shaped and blocky
particles with sharp cutting edges. Natural diamond particles exhibit
fracture characteristics different from those of synthetic diamond and
this leads to continuous regeneration of the cutting edges which in
turn contributes to a free-cutting action in machining applications.

GDAU

Equivalent Micron+

Mean 45

M4080*

Mean 30

M3040*

Mean 20

M2040

Mean 15

M1525

Mean 10

M1020

Mean 7

M612

Mean 4

M38

Mean 2

M14

Mean 1

M02

GDAU
GDAU is derived from a crushed source and is available in a
range of sizes. The nine sizes offered are characterised using
laser diffractometry. These meet the requirements of fast stock
removal, rough dimensional finishing/grinding, general final
finishing/lapping and lastly, final polishing.

*Mean 45 is contained within the mesh distribution 325/500 and the Mean 30 approximates
to 500/600 US mesh.

MICRON+ ABN
Micron+ ABN is the cubic boron nitride product in this range.
It consists of uniformly shaped particles carefully graded into
discrete size ranges. Ideally suited to grinding, lapping and
fine finishing of hard ferrous materials, it is available in closely
controlled sizes between 0 - 0.05 and 40 - 80m.

Element Six Ltd.

Shannon Airport
Co. Clare Ireland
Tel: +353 61 471655
Fax: +353 61 471201
www.e6.com

Further literature available from Element Six

This publication is one of a series on Element Six diamond and cubic boron nitride products and their
applications. For details of availability and to obtain other publications in the series, please contact
your local supplier of Element Six products, or any Element Six office.

FX/1000/7/07

Micron+, MDA, SND, CDA, ABN and GDAU are Trade Marks of the Element Six Group.