Abstract: A method of processing a polycrystalline diamond material is disclosed. According to the method, a metal-solvent catalyst is leached from a polycrystalline diamond material by exposing at least a portion of the polycrystalline diamond material to a leaching solution. The leaching solution includes water, a complexing agent, and a mineral acid.

Abstract: Bearing elements, assemblies and apparatuses are provided as well as a method of manufacturing such components. In one embodiment, a bearing element comprises a superhard table forming a convex bearing surface and a radiused edge formed on the superhard table adjacent to the convex bearing surface. In another embodiment, a bearing element comprises a superhard table forming a concave bearing surface and a radiused edge formed on the superhard table adjacent to the concave bearing surface. In one embodiment, a bearing apparatus includes an inner bearing race assembly and an outer bearing race assembly. Each of the bearing race assemblies include a plurality of bearing elements. At least one of the inner and outer bearing race assemblies include a bearing element having an arcuate bearing surface and a radiused edge formed adjacent the arcuate bearing surface.

Abstract: A method of processing a polycrystalline diamond material is disclosed. According to the method, a metal-solvent catalyst is leached from a polycrystalline diamond material by exposing at least a portion of the polycrystalline diamond material to a leaching solution. The leaching solution includes water, a complexing agent, and a mineral acid. The complexing agent is configured to inhibit tungsten in the polycrystalline diamond material from oxidizing.

Abstract: An exemplary method of processing a polycrystalline diamond element is disclosed. According to the method, a protective layer may be formed over only a selected portion of a polycrystalline diamond element. The polycrystalline diamond element may include a polycrystalline diamond table. At least a portion of the polycrystalline diamond element may be exposed to a leaching solution such that the leaching solution contacts an exposed surface region of the polycrystalline diamond table and at least a portion of the protective layer. The protective layer may be substantially impermeable to the leaching solution. An exemplary method of manufacturing a polycrystalline diamond element is also disclosed.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to polycrystalline diamond compacts (“PDCs”) and methods of fabricating polycrystalline diamond tables and PDCs in a manner that facilitates removal of metal-solvent catalyst used in the manufacture of polycrystalline diamond tables of such PDCs.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a porous composite particulate material includes a plurality of composite particles. Each composite particle includes an acid-base-resistant core particle at least partially surrounded by one or more layers of acid-base-resistant shell particles. The shell particles are adhered to the core particle by a polymeric layer. The shell particles and/or core particles may be made from an acid-base-resistant material that is stable in harsh chemical conditions. For example, the shell particles and/or core particles may be made from diamond, graphitic carbon, silicon carbide, boron nitride, tungsten carbide, niobium carbide, zirconia, noble metals, acid-base stable highly cross-linked polymers, acid-base stable at least partially cross-linked polymers, titania, alumina, thoria combinations of the foregoing, or other acid-base-resistant materials.