Introduction to Diamond Polishing.

Diamond Polishing

Diamond polishing is best defined as the process which replaces large diamond scratches with new finer diamond scratches. As the profile of the substrate surface becomes smoother the resulting product is one that exhibits light reflection comparable to a coating. Diamond polishing usually, but not always, is accompanied by a concrete densifier of some type. The densifier makes the strength of the surface wear area stronger to reduce the effects of abrasion. Common symptoms of surface abrasion would be dulling of the polish finish or in extreme cases delamination of the concrete’s surface wear area.

Polishing Grits

There are two types of polishing diamonds. They are metal bond and resin bond diamonds. These types of diamond cut substrate the same way in principal, but the resulting product will vary depending on which type is used. The metal bond diamond does not fracture as easily as a resin bond, and therefore keeps a more uniformed edge. The metal bond diamond leaves scratches that are noticeable to the naked eye, and can be felt. The resin bond diamond leaves a scratch, but they are so consistent, that by eye or touch a single scratch is hard to find. The final difference is the form in which these diamonds are used. Metal bond diamonds are attached to a metal base, much like the grinding segments, but the resin bond diamonds are held in a plastic matrix that is attached to a cloth disk.

Resin Bond Diamonds

The most aggressive of the resin bond diamonds is the 35 grit. This grit is used after the 80/100 or as a ‘first cut’ on new unseal concrete. They have the ability to remove very minor surface imperfections, but depending on substrate strength, they are commonly used as the beginning grit of polishing. The next finest grit is the 200 grit resin bond. They are used to remove the scratches from the 35 grit pad. The next finest grit is the 400 grit resin bond diamond. They are used to remove the scratches from the 200 grit pads. The next three grits, in ascending order, are the 800. 1500, and 3000 grits. Depending on desired luster, these grits are used to polish the substrate to a higher gloss.