Carbonado is the name given to a polycrystalline, opaque and dark color diamond, which is naturally found in Brazil and in the Central Republic of Africa. Artificially, it is possible to produce a carbonado type synthetic polycrystalline diamond. Owing to its microstructure, which is constituted by many grains, this diamond is harder and tougher than the common ones. Therefore, it can be used with advantage in petroleum perforation drill and other wear resistant tools. The objective of this work was, for the first time, to produce a synthetic carbonado in Brazil and to present its microstructural characteristics. This carbonado was synthesized at high pressure and high temperature, using Brazilian graphite, at the sector of Superhard Materials of the State University of the Northern Rio de Janeiro, UENF. The evaluated characteristics indicated that this carbonado is a proper material for cutting and drilling tools.
Synthetic polycrystalline diamond; carbonado; microstructure; wear resistance; superhard materials
