A high molecular weight alcohol mixture has been found to offer higher grinding rates over time in machining ceramics using diamond tools. The benefits can be attributed to surface interactions of the alcohols with diamond surfaces forming a tenacious protective film under grinding conditions. The diamond particles are then protected from wear and remain sharp under grinding conditions. This allows sustained high machining rates over a much longer period of time. The ability of the alcohols to enhance grinding rates has been observed in a laboratory diamond cutter, a vertical grinder, and a surface grinder. A subsequent field trial was conducted in a manufacturing plant for five months, grinding cemented tungsten carbide cutting inserts using diamond tools. Results validated the observed laboratory benefits.Presented at the 53rd Annual Meeting in Detroit, Michigan May 17–21, 1998