Diamond tools can be categorized based on their manufacturing processes or the types of bonds used:

1. Metal-Bonded Diamond Tools: These tools feature sintered metal infused with diamond grit as the bonding material, with diamond segments serving as the functional parts. Examples include metal-bonded diamond saw blades, diamond grinding cup wheels, and diamond core drill bits. The bond is a critical factor when choosing the right tool for cutting or grinding specific materials, depending on their hardness or abrasiveness. It dictates how quickly the metal wears down to expose new diamond crystals, maintaining an effective abrasive surface. Different bond strengths are achieved by varying the alloy composition and adjusting the heat and pressure during sintering. Historically, cobalt has been the reference material due to its high diamond retention, ease of hot pressing, and adjustable wear rate when mixed with bronze or tungsten carbide powders. However, due to its high and volatile cost and environmental concerns, alternative systems using iron-copper alloys with additional metallic and non-metallic elements have been developed.

2. Resin-Bonded Diamond Tools: Utilizing resin powder as the primary bonding material, these tools are common in applications like resin-bonded diamond polishing pads used in the construction industry.

3. Plated Diamond Tools: Diamonds are attached to the tool's base using electroplating or Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) methods, allowing for high processing precision.

4. Ceramic-Bonded Diamond Tools: These tools employ a bonding material composed mainly of glass and ceramic powders. They are known for good chemical stability, minimal elastic deformation, and high brittleness.

5. Polycrystalline Diamond (PCD): Created by sintering numerous microscopic diamond crystals under high temperature and pressure, PCD offers excellent fracture toughness and thermal stability, making it ideal for manufacturing geological drill bits.

6. Polycrystalline Diamond Compacts (PDC): These consist of layers of PCD bonded to a cemented carbide substrate at high temperatures and pressures. PDC combines the high wear resistance of diamond with the toughness of carbide.

7. High-Temperature Brazed Diamond Tools: Manufactured by brazing a single layer of diamonds onto the tool using solder at temperatures exceeding 900°C through vacuum or atmosphere-protected brazing methods. Advantages include strong diamond retention by the solder, a high exposed diamond height (70–80% of the diamond size), and the ability to arrange diamonds uniformly on the tool.