Element Six Introduces Optimised PCD for Automotive Industry

Element Six has announced the launch of CTB004, a new grade of polycrystalline diamond (PCD), said to be customised to meet the precision cutting demands of the automotive industry. Reportedly offering high-speed machining advantages, CTB004 delivers optimised workpiece surface finish in both engine and chassis applications.

The new grade, which joins Element Six’s existing product CMX850, is targeted at the cutting of aluminium alloys, where a high surface finish is required alongside higher wear resistance. CTB004 has a four-micron fine grain structure delivering a balance between tool performance and resistance to abrasion and chipping.

“Cutting-edge materials that offer considerable advantages to our customers is our constant focus,” stated Richard Townsend, Product Manager – PCD at Element Six. “PCD materials provide the end-user with unsurpassed levels of productivity and workpiece quality that meet the demands of very specific applications. The push in the automotive industry to make vehicles lighter and more efficient while retaining durability has meant that aluminium use by the major OEMs has significantly increased.”

The CTB004 grade also joins Element Six’s Aero-Dianamics™ CFRP workpiece tooling solutions, which allow tool designers to form entirely new PCD geometries with a large variety of profiles.

Element Six, a member of the De Beers Group of Companies, operates worldwide with a head office registered in Luxembourg. Primary manufacturing facilities are located in China, Germany, Ireland, South Africa, US and the UK.