Linear edge Superabrasives

Lead Participant: C4 CARBIDES LIMITED

Abstract

C4 Carbides currently manufactures linear edge tunsten carbide and diamond coated strip for cutting and drilling products. Tungsten is high on the list of ‘at risk’ minerals so there is an incentive to substitute tungsten carbide by other minerals. Diamond is a good alternative in many applications but is not suitable for ferrous materials. Cubic Boron Nitride (cBN) is an alternatve - but the technologies to braze cBN on to flexible strip are not yet developed.
The purpose of this project is to develop the coating and braising technologies to enable cBN to be applied to strip for many ferrous cutting and drilling tasks. If the project objectives are achieved, C4 will be able to offer a range of linear edge superabrasives to the estimated $2bn linear edge market. The resulting products should last up to 20 times longer than tungsten, bi-metal or carbon steel blades and C4 will be in a position to pioneer the complete removal of tungsten from linear edge blades.

Lead Participant

Project Cost

Grant Offer

C4 CARBIDES LIMITED £215,283 £ 129,170
 

Participant

INNOVATE UK
UNIVERSITY OF HERTFORDSHIRE £65,453 £ 65,452

People

ORCID iD

Publications

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