Are you thinking of shopping for synthetic diamonds, but you are confused about which one is better, CVD Diamond Gems or HPHT Diamond Gems? In such a case, you just need to know which one is a better option for you. In this article, we will discuss the similarities and differences between the two of them.
Technical Difference Between CVD And HPHT:
Most customers want to know which synthetic diamond is better for their jewelry. This leads to the question of how they are made. Actually, there is no such difference between their manufacturing methods. Both are chemically composed and are identical to the natural diamonds.
Though, we can explore the technical differences between these synthetic gems.
CVD and HPHT are the two most common processes used to obtain synthetic diamonds.
1. Process:
CVD Diamond Gems: In the case of CVD, gases are mixed and exposed to some conditions that make them decompose, and in the process, they transfer carbon atoms to the substrate, which then forms diamond crystals.
HPHT Diamond Gems: HPHT process is the imitation of formation conditions of diamond, that is, a small natural diamond seed is placed in the press and it is required high pressure (5-6 GPa) and high temperature (about 1400 °C).
2. Temperature and Pressure:
CVD: Here, the temperature used is relatively lower than that of HPHT, which ranges between 700 AND 1200°C. This means that not much compression is involved in the case.
HPHT: This is an abbreviation begun with HP, which is interpreted to mean High Pressure, while the other part, HT, represents High temperature. Because of the name it carries, it is often ranked 5 to 6 GigaPascal (GPa) while the temperatures are around 1400 degrees Celsius.
3. Energy Requirement:
CVD: CVD is also often believed to be less energy-intensive than HPHT because it works at relatively lower temperatures.
HPHT: HPHT puts more demands on energy than normal hydrothermal conditions of high pressure and high temperature.
4. Control and Scalability:
CVD: CVD makes it possible to have more control over the process of growth of diamonds and get bigger and more homogeneous ones. It is also more appropriate for use in industrial production due to its scalability attribute.
HPHT: HPHT can potentially create diamonds at a faster pace than CVD, but the size and quality of the diamonds produced herein may be difficult to control.
5. Applications:
CVD: These can be used in the electronics industry, friction material and cutting tools and other related industries, automobiles, aerospace, etc. It has also found applications in jewelry, particularly as people seek more unique products.
HPHT: Currently, HPHT Diamond Gems are used primarily for industrial purposes such as in drilling, cutting, and grinding, which are fields that do not require the visual appeal and sparkle of the stones because their quality is inferior to natural and CVD diamonds.
Yet, both methods are well suited for deposition Si-based materials, and both have their pros and cons. However, it is widely said that CVD is more general and easier to control.
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