Patent ID: 6284315
Filing Date: 2001-09-04
Classification: C23C,Y10T

Abstract:
A method of polishing a surface of a diamond, comprising the steps of:placing the surface of the diamond on a surface of a metal selected from the group consisting of iron and steel, with peaks in the surface of the diamond forming points of contact between the diamond and metal surface;heating the metal surface to a predetermined temperature above a melting temperature of a metal carbide formed by diffusion of carbon from the diamond to the metal surface at the points of contact and below the melting temperature of the metal surface to form a liquid metal carbide film at the points of contact between the diamond surface and the metal surface; andmaintaining the surface of the diamond in contact with the liquid metal carbide film formed between the diamond surface and the heated metal surface for a predetermined time sufficient for selected peaks to be eroded away through diffusion of the diamond with the liquid metal carbide film at the points of contact to form a smooth polished surface on the diamond without applying substantial additional pressure to the diamond against the metal sufficient to cause the liquid metal carbide film at the points of contact to be urged away from the points of contact.