Diamond burs are used in rotary tools to cut materials such as glass, stone, metal, bone and wood. They are available in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. Some are made with a solid piece of diamond while others have a shaped tip that is bonded to a metal base. These different types of diamond burs have different characteristics which can affect their performance and longevity. One type of diamond bur that is becoming more popular is the sintered diamond bur.

The abrasive head of these rotary burs contains diamond embedded within a metal matrix which can last far longer than standard plated diamond lapidary points or electroplated zirconia points that are only coated or plated on the abrasive point. They also have a thicker, more uniform abrasive head which means they can be used at higher speeds than coated or plated diamond points without losing their performance.

Using sintered diamond burs can help to increase the speed at which work is done, leading to reduced patient time under anesthesia and lower costs for the insurance company. They can also reduce the amount of dust generated which in turn improves the work environment. This can be especially important for dental procedures where the work is performed under a local anesthetic.

Sintered diamonds have a more consistent abrasive head than other types of abrasives and are available in a range of grit sizes to meet different needs. Larger coarse grit diamond burs are ideal for pre-forming and shaping glass, stone and other hard materials. Fine abrasive heads can be used for carving or polishing the surfaces of softer materials like porcelain and ceramics.

There are several types of abrasive heads for diamond burs including tungsten carbide, teflon and silicon nitride. Tungsten carbide is 3 times stiffer than steel and has a high level of wear resistance. It is a very effective material for use in rotary tools because it can be used at higher speeds than other abrasives. The disadvantage is that it can cause heat generation which can lead to the abrasive wearing away and damaging the underlying material.

Tungsten carbide is also an effective material for use in cutting instruments and is available in a wide variety of shapes. It is very durable and will not lose its sharpness for a long time. It can be used in a wide variety of applications in the lab and is often used to shape zirconia and other hard ceramics.

A sintered diamond abrasive is formed by a mixture of abrasive grains embedded in a tough and durable binder. It can outlast a plated abrasive by 3-5 times and can cut at a much faster rate than other abrasives, such as teflon or silicon nitride. They are also a safer option for the user because they have a more rounded abrasive head that can reduce the chance of an injury due to impact.