Diamond synthesizing
Diamond synthesizing refers to the process of creating diamonds in a laboratory setting, using methods that mimic the natural formation of diamonds in the Earth's mantle. While diamonds are chemically composed of carbon, their physical properties are distinct from other carbon forms, such as graphite. Significant advancements in diamond synthesis began in the mid-20th century, following the work of physicist Percy Bridgman, who developed high-pressure techniques that made this endeavor feasible.
In 1953, Swedish scientists successfully synthesized diamonds from graphite, but it was American researchers at General Electric who publicly announced a reliable method two years later. This advancement led to the commercial production of synthetic diamonds, particularly for industrial applications, where they were utilized as superabrasives in cutting tools. By the early 21st century, synthetic diamonds accounted for approximately 80% of all diamonds produced, with over 90% used in industrial contexts. The evolution of diamond synthesizing not only transformed industrial manufacturing but also raised discussions about the value and uniqueness of natural versus synthetic diamonds.
On this Page
Subject Terms
Diamond synthesizing
The Event First artificial transformation of graphite into diamond
Date First achieved in 1953
The ability to transform graphite into diamond revolutionized the diamond industry by providing durable material that allowed for the faster production of goods.
In 1796, Smithson Tennant discovered that although diamond was a form of carbon chemically, it was not physically identical to graphite, or pencil lead. Over the next century and a half, many scientists attempted to synthesize graphite or other soft forms of carbon into diamond. Research by Harvard Universityphysicist Percy Bridgman developed the high-pressure techniques that would lead to his receiving the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1946 and would allow other researchers to synthesize diamond in the next decade.
In 1953, Swedish scientists at the Allmanna Svenska Elektriska Aktiebolaget (ASEA) Laboratory first produced diamond from graphite, but they did not publicize their invention. A team of American scientists working at General Electric Company (GE) also developed a process for producing synthetic diamonds and announced their invention in 1955. General Electric was awarded a world patent.
In 1957, the synthesization process was sufficiently developed by GE to produce commercial quantities of industrial diamonds, which became the basis for a group of hard industrial materials termed “superabrasives.” These industrial diamonds were used to produce industrial cutting tools made from tungsten carbide, a very hard substance. In turn, the tools made from tungsten carbide were used to create machine metal parts for automobiles and other consumer products much faster than previous steel tools could.
Impact
By the early twenty-first century, approximately 80 percent of all diamonds were synthetically produced, and more than 90 percent of all diamonds were being used for industrial applications.
Bibliography
Bruton, Eric. Diamonds. 2d ed. Radnor, Pa.: Chilton Book Company, 1978. A general book on diamonds.
Kalpakjian, Serope. Manufacturing Engineering and Technology. Reading, Mass.: Addison-Wesley, 1989. Explains common industrial uses of diamonds.