ABSTRACT
Chemical-vapor-deposited (CVD) diamond film technology looks promising in the field of tribology [9.1–9.5]. CVD diamond coatings offer a broader tribological potential than do natural and high-pressure synthetic diamonds because size and eventually cost will be less of a limitation. In general, however, the advantages and utility of CVD diamond as an industrial ceramic can only be realized if the price is right [9.6]. Until recently skeptics, even internationally well-known tribologists, viewed this technology merely as a rich mother lode of research papers for the academic community. According to Windischmann [9.6] that view may no longer be valid because of two advances made by a leading CVD diamond supplier in the past year:
Reduction of the cost of CVD diamond deposition below $5/carat ($8/cm2)
Installation of production capacity
