Material Properties and Performance Comparison

When evaluating silicon carbide abrasive versus diamond lapping film, several fundamental differences emerge that affect their performance in precision surface finishing applications.

Hardness and Abrasion Characteristics

Diamond lapping films feature the hardest known abrasive material (Mohs 10), making them ideal for processing ultra-hard materials like tungsten carbide, sapphire, and ceramic substrates. Silicon carbide abrasives (Mohs 9-9.5) provide excellent cutting performance for glass, quartz, and most metals at a more economical price point.

Industry-Specific Applications

Optics and Photonics Manufacturing

For optical polishing pads and lens finishing, diamond lapping films excel in producing nanometer-level surface finishes required for high-performance optical components. Silicon carbide abrasives remain popular for preliminary grinding stages due to their cost-effectiveness in removing larger surface imperfections.

Semiconductor and Electronics

In wafer backgrinding and IC packaging, diamond films provide superior consistency for ultra-thin silicon wafers below 100μm thickness. Our aluminum oxide film alternatives offer intermediate solutions for less demanding applications.

Cost and Operational Considerations

While diamond lapping films command a 3-5x price premium over silicon carbide abrasives, their extended service life often results in lower cost-per-part in high-volume production. Key factors influencing total cost include:

• Material compatibility with workpiece
• Required surface finish specifications
• Production volume and automation level
• Coolant and equipment requirements

Technical Selection Guidelines

XYT's engineering team recommends the following selection criteria:

1. For hard materials (HRC>60) requiring sub-micron finishes: Diamond films
2. For rapid stock removal on softer materials: Silicon carbide
3. For cerium oxide polishing preparation steps: Silicon carbide
4. For final polishing of optical surfaces: Diamond films

Why Choose XYT's Abrasive Solutions?

With 14+ years of expertise in advanced abrasive materials, XYT offers:

• Proprietary diamond coating technologies with 30% longer service life
• Customized abrasive solutions for specific material combinations
• ISO 9001-certified manufacturing with batch traceability
• Global technical support and application engineering services

Contact our abrasives specialists today to optimize your surface finishing process with the right balance of performance and cost-efficiency.