Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, a method of fabricating a superabrasive article is disclosed. A mass of unsintered diamond particles may be infiltrated with metal-solvent catalyst from a metal-solvent-catalyst-containing material to promote formation of a sintered body of diamond grains including interstitial regions. At least a portion of the interstitial regions may also be infiltrated with silicon from a silicon-containing material. The silicon reacts with the sintered body to form silicon carbide within a portion of the interstitial regions.

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: Embodiments of the present invention relate to PDCs including a PCD table having an exterior cutting region that exhibits enhanced thermal stability. In one embodiment, a method comprises forming an assembly including a first region having non-diamond carbon material and a second region having a plurality of diamond particles. The method comprises subjecting the assembly to heat and pressure sufficient to form the PDC. In another embodiment, a PDC comprises a substrate and a PCD table bonded to the substrate. The PCD table comprises an exterior cutting region including a plurality of elongated diamond grains that are generally randomly oriented. The PCD table comprises a main region positioned between the substrate and exterior cutting region, and including a plurality of bonded diamond grains. In another embodiment, the first region may include coarse-sized diamond particles instead of non-diamond carbon material.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to polycrystalline diamond compacts (“PDCs”) including a polycrystalline diamond (“PCD”) table that is substantially free of defects formed due to abnormal grain growth of tungsten carbide grains, and methods of fabricating such PDCs. In an embodiment, a PDC comprises a cemented tungsten carbide substrate including an interfacial surface that is substantially free of tungsten carbide grains exhibiting abnormal grain growth, and a PCD table bonded to the interfacial surface of the cemented tungsten carbide substrate. The PCD table includes a plurality of bonded diamond grains defining a plurality of interstitial regions. At least a portion of the interstitial regions includes a metal-solvent catalyst disposed therein. The PCD table may be substantially free of chromium or the PCD table and the cemented tungsten carbide substrate may each include chromium.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to superabrasive materials, superabrasive compacts employing such superabrasive materials, and methods of fabricating such superabrasive materials and compacts. One or more embodiments of a superabrasive material include a plurality of first superabrasive regions characteristic of being formed at least partially from a plurality of agglomerates, with each first superabrasive region including a plurality of first superabrasive grains that exhibit a first average grain size, and a matrix through which the plurality of first superabrasive regions is dispersed. The matrix includes a plurality second intercrystalline-bonded superabrasive grains that exhibit a second average grain size.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to polycrystalline diamond compacts (“PDCs”) and methods of fabricating such PDCs. In an embodiment of a “two-step” manufactured PDC, a PDC includes a substrate and a pre-sintered polycrystalline diamond (“PCD”) table bonded to the substrate. The pre-sintered PCD table includes bonded diamond grains defining interstitial regions. At least a portion of the interstitial regions include at least one material disposed therein selected from a silicon-cobalt alloy, silicon carbide, cobalt carbide, or a mixed carbide of silicon and cobalt. The pre-sintered PCD table lacks an intermediate contaminant region therein that includes at least one type of fabrication by-product generated during the fabrication of the pre-sintered PCD table.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, a method of fabricating a superabrasive article is disclosed. A mass of unsintered diamond particles may be infiltrated with metal-solvent catalyst from a metal-solvent-catalyst-containing material to promote formation of a sintered body of diamond grains including interstitial regions. At least a portion of the interstitial regions may also be infiltrated with silicon from a silicon-containing material. The silicon reacts with the sintered body to form silicon carbide within a portion of the interstitial regions.

Abstract: A method of producing a composite cutting insert for a twist drill includes the steps of cutting an intermediate blank from a composite diamond compact. The intermediate blank comprises a relatively broad tungsten carbide strip with a relatively narrow polycrystalline diamond strip at one edge. First and second cutting insert halves are cut from the intermediate blank, each cutting insert half defining a cutting edge of the diamond material. The cutting insert halves are arranged back-to-back to form a composite cutting insert, with the cutting edges on opposite sides of a central plane. The cutting edges are arranged to define a chevron shaped composite cutting edge. The cutting insert halves are preferably brazed together to form a unitary cutting insert. The invention extends to a method of producing a twist drill including the steps of forming a slot-shaped seat diametrally in the end of a twist drill body, and brazing the composite cutting insert into the seat.