Umicore provides metal bond powders that bring precision and strength to diamond tools. Our portfolio includes various types of cobalt powders, pre-alloyed powders (such as the Cobalite®, NEXT®, Keen®, and STEP® ranges), and additive powders (like tungsten, tungsten carbide, fused tungsten carbide, copper, tin, bronze and iron). These powders are mixed with synthetic diamonds to form diamond segments, typically through hot pressing or free sintering techniques. The bond material is selected based on the specific material to be cut.
The use of diamond tools falls into three primary categories:
- Natural stone processing, which begins with block extraction in quarries and continues through various production stages, ending with polishing to achieve a finished product.
- Construction, where diamond tools are essential for drilling and cutting materials like concrete, asphalt, and other building materials.
- Industrial applications, where metal-bonded diamond tools are used for cutting and grinding hard, abrasive materials such as glass and ceramics.