Diamond and
Diamond-Like Carbon Films and Coated Products - A Technology and Market Update
Vice President of Research
Business Communications Co.
25 Van Zant St.
Norwalk, CT 06855, USA
Tel: 203/853-4266, extn 313
Fax: 203/853-0348
E-mail:
tabraham@bccresearch.com
After a gestation period of
over a decade, the technology for producing diamond coatings and thin films at
low temperatures and pressures and at relatively low cost has emerged as a
viable technology. This has allowed the number of potential applications to
increase. These range from coatings on shaving blades, cutting tools, wear
resistant components, surgical knives, IR windows and optical devices,
sunglasses and ophthalmic lenses, prosthetic devices, microelectronic substrates
and devices, Sensors/SAWs/MEMS, data storage, recording and print heads, flat
panel displays/cold cathode, sports equipment and protective coatings. Research
and development continue to improve the current technologies as well as create
entirely new technologies with high deposition rates. Researchers are also
carrying out R&D at a fast pace to apply these coatings in several new
applications. The
presentation discusses technological and industrial driving forces that have
made diamond, diamond-like carbon and CBN films and coatings a future growth
industry. Emerging technologies and applications, current and future market
opportunities, and global competition are discussed. U.S. and world markets and
projected till the year 2005.