Long–pulse explosive compaction of a diamond powder

The problem of producing bulk specimens by explosive compaction of a synthetic diamond powder without binders and catalytic additions is considered. The method of long–pulse explosive compaction with the use of multilayered explosive charges with a total mass up to 760 kg is used in experiments. The physicochemical properties of the resulting compacts are studied in detail. It is shown that, for relatively low loading pressures, long–pulse explosive compaction makes it possible to produce specimens whose hardness is equal to that usually obtained under higher (by one order of magnitude) shock pressures with a pulse duration of $\approx$1 $\mu$sec. In contrast to short–pulse loading, long–pulse loading ensures a considerable decrease in the cracking of the compacts.