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Current Status and Prospects of Circular Economy Development of Superhard Materials
The **Abstract**
1. Introduction
The super-hard material industry is characterized by a circular economy model. Compared to conventional abrasives, the production of super-hard materials involves lower energy consumption. For instance, carbon used in diamond production is a recyclable resource, and catalytic metals are renewable. The production process also generates pollutants that can be recycled and reused. Super-hard tools offer high-performance advantages such as long life, high efficiency, and precision, which significantly improve manufacturing processes across various industries. For example, drilling a well with a cemented carbide bit may take a year, while using a diamond bit reduces this time to just a few months, enhancing efficiency and reducing environmental impact. Due to their high processing efficiency, excellent quality, low pollution, and low energy consumption, super-hard materials provide a critical foundation for achieving low-carbon and energy-saving goals in modern industries.
2. Development Status of the Ultra-Hard Materials Recycling Economy
2.1. Circular Economy in the Diamond Industry
Diamonds are formed from high-purity graphite under the influence of a catalyst, under precisely controlled high temperature and pressure conditions. The production process includes material preparation, ultra-high pressure synthesis, purification, and sorting. The main energy consumption occurs during material processing and high-temperature synthesis, while pollution mainly comes from the purification stage. Today, the diamond industry has entered an era of fully enclosed, green environmental protection. Purification methods rely on corrosion principles and understanding of the diamond composite phase. Electrochemical dissolution techniques, such as carbon-iron, nickel-iron, and carbon-nickel corrosion cells, are widely used to remove impurities. This method not only avoids harmful gas emissions but also achieves a dissolution and recovery rate of up to 98%. With continuous technological improvements and integration with graphite recycling, energy savings exceed 70%, and the entire process is now largely mechanized and acid-free.
2.2. Circular Economy in the Cubic Boron Nitride Industry
Purification of cubic boron nitride involves removing impurities like unconverted hexagonal boron nitride, catalysts, graphite, and pyrophyllite. Metal catalysts and graphite are typically treated with acids, while hexagonal boron nitride and wax are removed using mixed alkalis like NaOH and KOH. Initially, perchloric acid was used, which is a strong oxidant. However, due to its high decomposition temperature and chlorine gas emissions, it is now largely replaced by electrochemical or mixed acid methods. These approaches effectively remove impurities without generating toxic gases, improving efficiency and reducing costs. Post-reaction acid solutions can also be recycled, minimizing waste and environmental impact.
2.3. Circular Economy Tools for Superhard Materials
Common super-hard tools include saw blades, drill bits, grinding wheels, PCD, and vapor deposition tools, with extensive applications. Most are made from diamond products, and global demand is expected to grow by over 20% annually. Recycling residual diamonds and binders from used tools helps conserve resources and reduce energy use. Current recovery methods include chemical, electrochemical-chemical, and inert gas atomization techniques. Chemical methods dissolve metal binders and recover valuable metals with high purity. Electrochemical methods enhance recovery rates, while inert gas atomization allows for powder reuse, though it risks damaging diamond properties at high temperatures.
3. Future Prospects of the Ultra-Hard Materials Recycling Economy
3.1. Economic Outlook for Diamond and Cubic Boron Nitride Recycling
As the industry evolves, sustainable practices are becoming essential. Future trends include closed-loop production systems, clean environments, efficient use of reagents, and safe disposal of waste. These steps will reduce costs and promote green development. China’s super-hard materials industry must continue to innovate and adopt low-carbon strategies to become a global leader.
3.2. Circular Economy Prospects for Superhard Material Tools
Current recycling technologies have limitations. They mainly target sintered, electroplated, and resin-bonded tools, but less attention is given to coated or ceramic-bonded tools. Future efforts should focus on improving coverage, ensuring environmental friendliness, and designing tools for easier disassembly. This will support both recycling and remanufacturing, enhancing competitiveness in the market.
4. Conclusion
Adopting a circular economy and sustainable development model is crucial for the future of the super-hard materials industry. China's rapid economic growth has increased pressure on resources and the environment, making circular economy strategies an inevitable choice. Establishing clean production lines, green manufacturing systems, and integrating recycling into production will drive long-term success. As a key industry, super-hard materials will play a vital role in achieving national policies and promoting sustainable development.