Abstract: A tool component comprises an abrasive compact bonded to a support which itself is bonded through an alloy to an elongate cemented carbide pin. The alloy has a liquidus below 900.degree. C. and the following composition, by weight:______________________________________ Mn 15-41% Cu 67-41% Ni 1-5% Au 10-17% ______________________________________and at least one of In, Sn, Zn and Ag, the In and Sn, when present, being in an amount not exceeding 20% by weight and the Zn and Ag, when present, being in an amount not exceeding 30% by weight.The shear strength of the bond achieved between the support and the pin exceeds 335 MPa.

Abstract: A tool component comprises an abrasive compact bonded to a support which itself is bonded through an alloy to an elongate cemented carbide pin. The alloy has a liquidus below 900.degree. C. and the following composition, by weight:______________________________________ Mn 15-41% Cu 67-41% Ni 1-5% Au 10-17% ______________________________________The shear strength of the bond achieved between the support and the pin exceeds 345 MPa.

Abstract: A tracer element for use in determining the efficiency of a heavy medium separation method which is made of aluminum, an aluminum/zinc alloy or an aluminum/magnesium alloy.

Abstract: A thermally stable diamond compact which has an alloy of liquidus above 700.degree. C. bonded to a surface thereof. The alloy contains at least 40 percent by weight of silver or gold or a combination thereof and 1 to 10 percent by weight of an active metal selected from the group of tungsten, titanium, zirconium, hafnium, vanadium, niobium, tantalum, chromium and molybdenum and having a liquidus temperature above 700.degree. C.

Abstract: A cubic boron nitride compact is bonded to a cemented carbide support through an alloy bonding layer which contains 40 to 70 percent by weight silver, gold or a combination thereof and 1 to 10 percent by weight of a high melting metal selected from the group of titanium, zirconium, hafnium, vanadium, niobium, tantalum, chromium and molybdenum. Bonding may be achieved by first metallizing a surface of the cubic boron nitride compact with a layer of gold or silver or a gold or silver based alloy and then bonding the metallized layer to the carbide support by means of a braze alloy having a liquidus temperature above 700.degree. C.

Abstract: An abrasive body is provided which has high strength and an ability to withstand high temperatures making it suitable as a tool insert for dressing tools and surface set drill bits. The body comprises a mass of diamond particles present in an amount of 80 to 90 percent by volume of the body and a second phase present in an amount of 10 to 20 percent by volume of the body, the mass of diamond particles containing substantial diamond-to-diamond bonding to form a coherent skeletal mass and the second phase containing nickel and silicon, the nickel being in the form of nickel and/or nickel silicide and the silicon being in the form of silicon, silicon carbide and/or nickel silicide. The abrasive bodies are made under conditions of elevated temperature and pressure suitable for diamond compact manufacture.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of metal coating diamond or cubic boron nitride particles, the metal being capable of forming a chemical bond with the particles, including the steps of providing a mass of metal for the coating in powdered form in contact with the particles, heat treating the metal powder and the particles at a temperature below the melting point of the metal to deposit a layer of metal on the particles, and recovering the particles as discrete, metal coated particles, the heat treatment taking place in a non-oxidizing atmosphere and being chosen to allow chemical bond formation between the particles and the coating.