Synthetic diamondsIn 1955, the General Electric Company announced their successful synthesis of 1/16" diamonds using the first process that was reproducible. The GE Super Pressure Project research team had worked since 1951 to create a special pressure vessel to subject carbon compounds to pressures of up to 1,500,000 lb/sq.in. at temperatures of up to 5,000 deg F. They created the first diamonds on 16 Dec 1954, beginning GE's man-made industrial diamond business. Manufactured diamonds are used as abrasives in masonry saws, mining drill bits, polishing machinery, and cutting tools. (On 16 Feb 1953, a Swedish scientist was the the first to create diamonds in an experiment that was not repeated, and held secret prior to GE's announcement.)«[Image: Watson-Stillman press used to make GE's first diamonds] |
