Polycrystalline Diamond Compound
Comparable to Buehler MetaDi polycrystalline diamond paste, Struers DP-Paste P, and Allied High Tech polycrystalline diamond compound for the same intermediate and fine polishing steps — at 20 to 40 percent lower cost.
- Diamond type
- Polycrystalline
- Compatibility
- Buehler, Struers, LECO, Allied, and PACE — and all other major brands
Overview
Polycrystalline Diamond Compound
What This Product Is
Polycrystalline diamond compound is a diamond paste in which each particle is made of many small diamond crystals bonded together, rather than a single crystal. Those multiple facets give many cutting points per particle and a self-sharpening action as the particle wears, producing high material-removal rates and a fine, uniform finish with low subsurface deformation.
The paste form charges polishing cloths directly and holds the diamond in place, making it convenient for manual and touch-up polishing as well as automated preparation.
Intended Use in Metallography
Polycrystalline diamond compound is used for intermediate and fine polishing, and is commonly selected when:
- Polishing hard or mixed-phase materials where uniform cutting across phases matters
- Higher removal rates are wanted without sacrificing finish
- Minimizing relief between hard and soft phases (its blocky crystals resist gouging)
- Preparing carbides, ceramics, and wear-resistant materials
Typical Applications
Commonly used when polishing:
- Hardened and tool steels
- Carbide-containing and cermet materials
- Ceramics and composites
- Mixed-phase alloys where phase relief must be controlled
Beyond metallography, polycrystalline diamond compound is also used in:
- Petrography: thin-section polishing of hard minerals
- Ceramics and advanced or composite materials
- Glass and optics
- Tool, die, and mold finishing
When This Product Is NOT Ideal
Polycrystalline diamond compound may not be the best choice when:
- Polishing very soft, ductile metals where a gentler or oxide final polish avoids smearing
- A single-crystal (monocrystalline) diamond is specified for the established procedure
- Coarse material removal is needed, which is a grinding step
Where This Fits in the Preparation Process
Polycrystalline diamond compound is typically used:
- After grinding
- Before any oxide final polish (colloidal silica or alumina), when required
Applied to an appropriate polishing cloth with a compatible lubricant.
Best-Practice Notes
- Charge the cloth lightly and add lubricant to carry the diamond and control heat
- Keep one micron size per cloth to prevent coarse-particle carryover
- Recharge as cutting slows rather than increasing load
- Clean specimens between steps to avoid contamination
Specifications
| Abrasive type | Polycrystalline diamond |
| Form | Paste / compound (cloth-charging) |
| Action | Multi-facet, self-sharpening — high removal with fine finish |
| Options | Multiple micron sizes; water- or oil-soluble; syringe sizes — see product options |
| Application | Intermediate and fine metallographic polishing |
| Micron Size | 1/10, 1/8, 1/4, 1/2, 1, 3, 6, 9, 15, 30, 45 |
| Solubility | Water Soluble, Oil Soluble |
| Syringe Size | 5gram, 10gram |
| Custom sizing | Custom sizes and concentrations are made to spec if what you need is not listed |
| Compatibility | Buehler, Struers, LECO, Allied, and PACE — and all other major brands. |
Compatibility and Equivalents
Formulated for the same intermediate and fine polishing steps as these brand products:
Runs on Buehler, Struers, LECO, Allied, and PACE systems — and all other major brands — with no change to your process. It is a comparable product for the same step — not a branded or drop-in item.
Same grading and micron sizing, typically 20 to 40 percent lower in price.
Request a free sample and test it on your own bench.
Named brand products are referenced only to identify the comparable item and prep step. We do not claim our product is identical to, or a replacement for, any trademarked product, and no affiliation or endorsement is implied.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between polycrystalline and monocrystalline diamond compound?
Polycrystalline particles are clusters of many small crystals with multiple cutting edges and a self-sharpening action, giving higher removal and low subsurface damage. Monocrystalline particles are single crystals with sharp edges that cut aggressively; the choice depends on material and procedure.
When should I choose polycrystalline diamond?
It is commonly preferred for hard, mixed-phase, or difficult materials, and where controlling phase relief and subsurface deformation matters.
Water-soluble or oil-soluble compound — which do I pick?
Water-soluble suits most general work; oil-soluble is chosen for moisture-sensitive materials or where an oil carrier is preferred. Match it to your material and existing lubricant.
Can diamond compound be used on automated systems?
Yes. It is used for both manual/touch-up polishing and on automated heads with a compatible lubricant.
Can polycrystalline diamond compound be used outside metallography?
Yes. Diamond compound polishes any hard material, so it is used well beyond metallography — in petrography, ceramics and advanced materials, glass and optics, and tool, die, and mold finishing. Polycrystalline diamond's self-sharpening particles suit hard, abrasion-resistant materials across all of these.