Overview
ISO 22180:2019 specifies the categorization of CVD diamond tools - tools whose cutting edges are made of chemical vapour deposition (CVD) diamond either as a solid insert or as a thin-film coating. The standard distinguishes between CVD diamond-coated tools (thin films) and CVD diamond thick-film / cutting inserts, and briefly describes how these differ from monocrystalline diamond (MCD) and polycrystalline diamond with binder (PCD). Annexes cover synthesis, coating modifications, MCD/PCD structure, and manufacturing practices.
Key topics
- Classification: clear separation of CVD diamond-coated tools (typical coating thickness 1–40 µm) and CVD diamond thick-film tools (typically 20–2 000 µm).
- Material systems and substrates: common substrates include WC‑Co (cemented carbide, cobalt mass fraction typically ≤12 %), silicon-based ceramics, molybdenum or brazable metals; titanium and copper alloys can also be used.
- Manufacturing processes: overview of CVD synthesis routes (hot‑filament CVD, plasma‑assisted CVD including microwave and DC plasma); deposition environments (low pressure ~1–100 hPa) and typical deposition rates for thick films (~0.3–10 µm/h).
- Coating modifications: microcrystalline, nanocrystalline and multilayer CVD diamond films - differences in grain size, surface roughness, wear and cracking resistance; boron doping for electrical conductivity enabling EDM.
- Post‑treatment and finishing: need for grinding, lapping or polishing to achieve final cutting-edge radius or low-friction surfaces.
- Comparison with other diamonds: brief descriptions of MCD (single-crystal, usually HPHT synthesis) and PCD (sintered with binder) to differentiate material behavior and classification (referencing ISO 513 categories).
Applications
ISO 22180 is relevant to the selection, design and manufacture of cutting tools for:
- Turning, milling and drilling (indexable and solid tools)
- Microtools, taps and large‑diameter cutters
- Rotary‑shaft and disposable insert applications where wear resistance, surface finish and thermal stability matter
Practical benefits include guidance on choosing appropriate CVD diamond form (thin-film vs thick-film/insert), substrate compatibility, finishing requirements and options for electrical conductivity (EDM).
Who should use this standard
- Tool designers and manufacturers of diamond-coated and diamond-insert cutting tools
- Materials and process engineers working on CVD diamond deposition and brazing
- Quality, procurement and R&D teams evaluating diamond tooling solutions
- Standards committees and test laboratories comparing diamond tool types
Related standards
- ISO 513 (classification of tool materials) - used for placing CVD diamond tools under “hard coatings of hard metal and ceramic” and “binder‑free polycrystalline diamond”.
Keywords: ISO 22180:2019, CVD diamond tools, CVD diamond-coated tools, CVD diamond thick film, MCD, PCD, diamond tool classification, CVD coating, tool manufacturing.