Summary in English. / Bibliography: pages 102-118. / Synthetic diamonds are successfully substituting for natural diamonds in the area of industrial application. Synthetic diamonds increased their market share from 10% in 1960 to 50% in 1968 and to 90% in 1994. The success of synthetic diamonds may be ascribed largely to technological advance in the area of diamond manufacture. Two technologies in particular contributed to this advance: (i) High pressure and high temperature (HPHT) processes for crystallising carbon material and (ii) chemical vapour deposition (CVD) of these materials. The substitution of synthetic for natural diamond occurred in a systematic and predictable manner. Further technological advance could threaten the concept of diamond as a unique and desirable substance in the minds of the consumers and may require the repositioning of its image.

Thesis (M.Eng.)--University of Wollongong. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references: leaf 131-135.