- #1
Jay Lakoda
- 18
- 0
If a drill bit that was cut out of a single large diamond were made, would it last forever, assuming it was never used to drill through diamond and was never exposed to a laser? Would it ever get dull or break?
Sorry, but that is incorrect. Lasers have only been around for a little over 50 years. Diamond cutting is quite a bit older and remarkably involves only the use of hand-held tools used by trained and highly skilled individuals.Jay Lakoda said:Well, I imagine diamonds are usually fashioned with lasers.
Ten feet is wildly larger than the largest diamond ever found.But I also realize that if you were to have a ten foot long drill bit made out of pure diamond, and you encased 5 feet of the bit in cement, and you applied enough torque to the other end, then you would snap the bit in half.
But I'm wondering what would happen in normal conditions. What if you had a pure diamond drill bit, and did not abuse it. Would it cut holes in granite forever, without ever getting dull?
Jay Lakoda said:So...
Would a pure diamond drill bit, under ideal conditions, ever get dull from drilling through granite?
Hyo X said:Your question could be rephrased:
Will the carbon atoms on the surface of a monocrystalline drill bit, continually being used to drill through granite, ever break their bonds with their neighboring carbon atoms?
Yes:
The carbon-carbon bond has a certain energy.
The likelihod those atoms will remain in that bonded state can be estimated with the Boltzmann distribution. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boltzmann_distribution
Even if you continually cool the drill bit and have a liquid lubricant, statistically over long enough time, one of the carbon bonds will break.
Jay Lakoda said:If a drill bit that was cut out of a single large diamond were made, would it last forever, assuming it was never used to drill through diamond and was never exposed to a laser? Would it ever get dull or break?
A diamond drill bit can become dull due to several factors, including wear and tear from repeated use, exposure to high temperatures, and contact with hard or abrasive materials. As diamonds are the hardest substance known, it is unlikely that the diamonds themselves will become dull, but the surrounding metal or bond that holds them in place can wear down over time.
The lifespan of a pure diamond drill bit can vary depending on the quality and type of diamond used, as well as the conditions it is used in. However, on average, a pure diamond drill bit can last anywhere from 100 to 150 holes before it starts to show signs of dullness. With proper care and maintenance, it is possible for a diamond drill bit to last even longer.
Unlike other drill bits, a pure diamond drill bit cannot be sharpened or reconditioned. This is because the diamonds themselves are the cutting edge, and once they become dull, they cannot be reshaped like traditional metal drill bits. However, some companies offer diamond drill bit re-tipping services, where the worn diamonds are replaced with new ones to restore the bit's cutting ability.
To prolong the life of a pure diamond drill bit, it is essential to use it correctly and take proper care of it. This includes using the appropriate speed and pressure when drilling, avoiding contact with hard or abrasive materials, and keeping the bit cool with water or a lubricant. After use, the bit should be cleaned and stored in a safe place to prevent damage.
While pure diamond drill bits are incredibly durable and effective, they can also be quite expensive. As an alternative, some companies offer diamond-coated drill bits, where a layer of diamond particles is applied to the cutting edge of a traditional metal bit. These can be a more cost-effective option, but they may not have the same longevity as pure diamond drill bits.