In the early 1990s, China's diamond industry experienced significant growth. The hinged six-face press, developed with independent intellectual property rights, had reached a mature stage. High-pressure cylinders were expanding in size, and the number of domestic presses was on the rise. Catalyst materials made from iron, nickel, cobalt, and manganese were being refined, with thinner catalyst sheets produced. Graphite sheets remained stable, and pyrophyllite blocks—key auxiliary materials—were being pressed into uniform shapes to meet the needs of diamond single crystal production. Industry experts focused on improving quality, output, and cost-effectiveness.
At the time, diamond materials were considered national strategic resources, and production equipment and technology were strictly confidential. China’s six-face press emerged under this context, while European and American countries used two-face presses that offered higher tonnage, advanced materials, and more stable sintering processes. These presses produced high-quality diamonds, which commanded premium prices. In contrast, China’s six-face press had lower tonnage and multiple pressure sources, making control more challenging. Diamond products from China were generally medium to low grade, showing significant differences in compressive strength, crystal form, transparency, color, particle size, and impurities compared to those from the West. This gap translated into a large price disparity in the international market.
Despite these challenges, many superhard material tools, such as stone-cutting saw blades, required medium to high-grade diamonds. To meet this demand, China had to import expensive foreign presses, but these imports often failed due to poor compatibility, leading to suboptimal performance and high costs. Recognizing the need for improvement, industry elites aimed to enhance the quality of domestic diamonds to better align with the requirements of the tool industry.
Four key factors influenced diamond quality: equipment, materials, cavity structure, and synthesis process. Upgrading equipment, increasing hydraulic cylinder diameter, enhancing pressure, and expanding cavities were seen as essential steps to improve product quality and cost-performance. A larger cavity allowed for a more uniform temperature field, directly contributing to better single-crystal growth. Continuous improvements in press tonnage and cavity size became fundamental to the development of China’s superhard materials industry.
However, the operational differences between the six-face and two-face presses posed unique challenges. The six-face press, with its multiple pressure sources, required more complex engineering, especially in terms of stress resistance and material quality. At the time, China’s industrial infrastructure limited rapid progress in press tonnage, making it a gradual and uneven process. Even today, there remains a gap between the capabilities of Chinese and Western presses.
Optimizing the cavity structure was also crucial. It not only met the operational needs of the press but also ensured effective heat retention, pressure transmission, and sealing. This helped create a stable environment for diamond growth and significantly improved product quality. Likewise, refining the synthesis process was vital to controlling nucleation and growth, and some progress had already been made.
Beyond equipment and cavity design, breakthroughs in materials were needed to meet the demands of saw-grade diamonds. Beijing Jingxinlei Company’s engineers began exploring whether powder-based catalysts and graphite could be used in the six-face press, aiming to improve the cavity structure and synthesis process to create a better growth environment for diamonds.
In 1994, the company set out to produce “saw-chip†synthetic diamonds using powdered catalysts and graphite on the six-face press. Many challenges lay ahead, including selecting suitable powders, mixing them effectively, and developing appropriate molding techniques. After extensive experimentation, they determined that an Fe-Ni-Mn alloy, atomized into fine powder, worked best as a catalyst. Crystalline flake graphite from Heilongjiang was selected for its purity, and a 3:7 ratio of catalyst to graphite was found to be optimal.
The process involved isostatic pressing and granulation to achieve the necessary density without binders. This was a major challenge under the press’s existing pressure conditions. Eventually, a “synthesis column†capable of growing diamond single crystals was successfully fabricated on a four-column press.
Creating a favorable environment for crystal growth was just as important as having good materials. Beijing Jingxinlei redesigned the cavity, using improved steel caps, dolomite casings, and iron belts. Since there were no ready-made suppliers at the time, most components were manufactured in-house. Over time, a complete production flow for cavity accessories was established, and the company came to refer to its operations as the “black†and “white†processes.
During experiments, the team faced numerous challenges. For example, achieving proper mixing of powders with different specific gravities required careful optimization. Problems like cracks in the graphite columns after pressing led to further analysis and adjustments. Each problem prompted deeper thinking and eventually led to solutions that improved the overall process.
By 1996, the experimental work was completed and passed continuous pilot production. The six-face press successfully produced “saw-chip†synthetic diamonds with excellent crystal form, low impurity content, and high yield. More than 20% of the crystals had a static pressure above 20 kgf, meeting the high standards required for saw blade-grade diamonds.
The journey from setting goals to achieving results was filled with challenges, but it also brought great satisfaction. Solving problems through repeated trials and analysis led to the development of a full set of production processes and quality standards. Beijing Jingxinlei summarized its achievements in the form of patents, including the use of powder materials, cavity structures, and proprietary synthesis technologies.
In August 1996, the company partnered with Yanjiao Diamond Industry Co., Ltd. and Mentougou Lanlong Co., Ltd. to transition the technology to mass production, achieving good results. Although the gap between experimental success and industrial scale-up still existed, the focus shifted to improving the supply chain, stabilizing products, and reducing costs.
Catalyst materials needed to have very low impurity content, especially oxygen, which was limited to 150 ppm in mass production. Powdered catalysts were gas-atomized under argon protection. However, domestic manufacturers struggled to meet these standards, so the company turned to a foreign supplier who could produce qualified materials according to their specifications.
Graphite materials were sourced as processed strips and underwent high-temperature chlorine removal to achieve 99.99% purity. With stable material supply and standardized production, the “black road†and “white road†processes became reliable, laying the foundation for the industrialization of powder materials.
In May 1997, the experiment, pilot test, and industrial trial were completed, and the product was officially promoted. Initially, the application faced challenges, such as issues with the bonding of diamonds in saw blades. Through field visits and adjustments, the company resolved these problems and achieved successful results.
From 1994 to 1997, Beijing Jingxinlei conducted research, pilot tests, and industrial promotion, receiving strong support from industry peers. By 1997, a new raw material—powder catalyst—had emerged in the superhard materials industry, adding a new dimension to China’s diamond development.
Since 1998, the company launched the project “Synthesis of High-grade Diamonds of Primary Single Crystal Fine Particles,†led by Comrade Bian Ping. By June 2000, the project received positive evaluation from the Beijing Municipal Science and Technology Commission, noting that the fine-grain high-grade diamonds produced were comparable in quality to foreign equivalents.
Although the company has been active in the industry for nearly 20 years, it still sees itself as a newcomer to China’s 50-year diamond development history. Today, in addition to supplying diamond powder columns and high-grade diamonds, the company is exploring new areas like large-scale composite films, with promising initial results.
Our main goals are to respect science, value talent, strive to develop high-end products, and make contributions to China’s superhard materials industry, helping to realize the dream of a strong country. With nearly 100 people entering the industry, the field remains fascinating, full of topics to explore. We are committed to dedicating everything to this field, working together with colleagues to make China’s superhard materials even stronger and more competitive. (This article is taken from "China's Superhard Materials Industry Fifty Years")
Workstation sink
A Workstation sink is a sink with a mechanism built in to the front and back sides of the bowl to allow accessories to sit on the step or ledge, affording the user to prepare meals on the sink instead of on the countertop. The intent behind the design is to speed up the process of food preparation and clean-up.
Workstation mltifunctional production table.Â
1.2/1.5mm stainless steel ledge Kitchen Sink. Space saving and easy to use. Use colander, cutting board, and other accessories for collection.
Best sale in Alibaba, Amazon, eBay.
Prep Workstation Sink, Workstation Dual Mount Kitchen Sink, Apron-front Workstation,2-tier Ledge Workstaion Sink, 2-tiered Ledge Kitchen Sink,Double Bowl Workstation Sink,Stainless Steel Workstation Sink,Farmhouse Sink Workstation
Jiangmen MEIAO Kitchen And Bathroom Co., Ltd. , https://www.meiaosink.com