Superhard Material Electroplated Products Manufacturing Process

Superhard electroplated products are made by using an electroplating method. The metal electro-deposition on the products from the solution is used as the bonding agent. During the process, diamond or CBN will be bonded in the electroplate layer. This electroplating method is different from the ordinary compression molding and sintering in many ways, such as the principle, method, and equipment. The principle of sintered metal bond products is to take advantage of powder metallurgy, while electroplating metal bonding agent products are made by the electroplating principle.

1. Processing Procedure Characteristics

The three major phases of electroplate products are: 

Substrate Processing

Proper steel products should be chosen to go through all kinds of mechanical treatment processes, and to be made into substrate that meets the demand for shapes and sizes.

Substrate Treatment before Electroplating Process

The surface purification and surface activation (chemical acid dipping or electrochemically activation) is used as well as some auxiliary processes.

Electroplating Process

Electroplating processes for single-layer abrasive grains include the following: the bottom plating, sand plating, thickening plating, and bright plating. Multi-layer electroplating means when the previous layer is done, sand will be added to thicken it until the thickness is in accordance with the demand

2. Technological Parameter Characteristics

Low Manufacturing Temperature

The electroplating process can be conducted under room temperature. Even if it is heated, the temperature will be kept under 100°. The low manufacturing temperature is a distinctive feature of the electroplating method. This advantage has prevented thermal damage to diamond due to sintering. Meanwhile, it can save more electricity than using a high temperature electric heating device.

Short Period of Manufacturing

In general, single-layer the electroplating method takes a short amount of time, but the general rule does not go for multi-layer electroplate products with high thickness. Take an electroplating geological drill bit for example; its production cycle is too long, so new high-speed electroplating techniques should be developed to reduce plating time.

3. Prototyping Performance Characteristics

Since electro deposition is the metal ion that is close to the substrate's surface, under appropriate electroplating conditions, it can guarantee a good throwing power; namely, to make the metal layer evenly spread on the substrate's surface.