← Critical Product/Equipment/Process: Metals, Mining & Materials (all topics)
Super-abrasives (diamond & cubic boron nitride)
What it is
Abrasives made from synthetic diamond or cubic boron nitride, the two hardest materials available. They cost far more per wheel than conventional aluminium oxide or silicon carbide but last many times longer and hold tolerance better
They are specified for hardened steels, carbide tooling, ceramics and precision components
Impact on industries
- The premium tier - realisation per unit is a multiple of conventional abrasives, and the competitive set is far narrower
- Sold on cost per component rather than price per wheel, which shifts the conversation from purchase price to productivity
- Demand rises with precision manufacturing, EV components, aerospace and hardened materials that conventional abrasives cannot machine economically
- Capability-gated rather than capital-gated, and customers need the machine tools and process control to realise the benefit