NDP is one of the few companies in the world to offer the PolyMic range in our portfolio. PolyMic is, uniquely for a micron product, manufactured by the detonation process. Its structure is polycrystalline and, in breaking down readily during use, it provides increased productivity and improved surface finish with no sub-surface damage. It is available in the range 0-0.2 to 6-12 micron.
The production cycle involves a series of discrete processes:
- Detonation synthesis
- Wet chemical purification
- Hydration, de-agglomeration, cleaning, washing
- Splitting, grading, sizing and segregation: high speed centrifugation for sizes below 2 micron and sedimentation for sizes above.
- Drying and crushing (where necessary)
Each batch is put through a rigorous QC process, involving
- Element analysis
- SEM – Particle morphology and shape
- X-Ray diffraction – Diamond content
- Specific surface area – Purity and size
- Particle size distribution – Size quantification
- Density – Diamond content & purity
- Conductivity – Surface purity
Examples of processing applications include:
- R, A and C plane sapphire
- Silicon carbide
- Calcium fluoride
- Silicon nitride
- Zinc sellenide