Alumina ceramics cutting by self-sharpening edge technique of diamond

Unfinished natural single-crystal octahedral diamond corners can be successfully used as tools to cut ceramics. Abrasion due to cutting gradually flattens the sharp edge of diamonds. The flattening process, however, generates another cutting edge. The process proposed in this paper involves repositioning the newly formed sharp edge and using it to cut again. Thus, natural diamond crystals can be used as long lasting tools to cut alumina ceramics.