Abstract: In one or more embodiments, a method includes selecting a cemented carbide substrate from a plurality of cemented carbide substrates in a substrate inventory. Each of the plurality of cemented carbide substrates have a substantially planar top surface. The method also includes emitting a plurality of laser pulses from a laser towards at least the substantially planar top surface of the cemented carbide substrate to ablate selected regions of the cemented carbide substrate thereby forming the cemented carbide substrate into a selected shape.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to polycrystalline diamond compacts (“PDCs”) including a polycrystalline diamond (“PCD”) table in which a metal-solvent catalyst is alloyed with at least one alloying element to improve thermal stability of the PCD table. In an embodiment, a PDC includes a substrate and a PCD table bonded to the substrate. The PCD table includes diamond grains defining interstitial regions. The PCD table includes an alloy comprising at least one Group VIII metal and at least one metallic alloying element that lowers a temperature at which melting of the at least one Group VIII metal begins. The alloy includes one or more solid solution phases comprising the at least one Group VIII metal and the at least one metallic alloying element and one or more intermediate compounds comprising the at least one Group VIII metal and the at least one metallic alloying element.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to cutting tool assemblies, material-removing machines that include cutting tool assemblies, and methods of use and operation thereof. In some embodiments, the cutting tool assemblies described herein may be used in material-removing machines that may remove target material. For example, the cutting tool assemblies may include one or more superhard working surfaces and/or one or more shields.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relate to polycrystalline diamond compacts (“PDCs”) including at least one mechanically-stressed polycrystalline diamond (“PCD”) table having an upper surface that exhibits a compressive stress state. Providing a selected support structure to the mechanically-stressed PCD table and/or generating a favorable stress state in the upper surface of the mechanically-stressed PCD table may improve a toughness and/or a strength of the mechanically-stressed PCD table and the PDC. In an embodiment, a PDC includes a substrate including an interfacial surface and a preformed PCD table attached to the substrate. The preformed PCD table includes an upper surface spaced from a bottom surface that faces the interfacial surface of the substrate. In such an embodiment, the upper surface of the preformed PCD table exhibits a mechanical deflection and a concave curvature induced by deflecting the preformed PCD table toward the substrate.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to polycrystalline diamond compacts (“PDCs”) including a polycrystalline diamond (“PCD”) table in which a metal-solvent catalyst is alloyed with at least one alloying element to improve thermal stability of the PCD table. In an embodiment, a PDC includes a substrate and a PCD table bonded to the substrate. The PCD table includes diamond grains defining interstitial regions. The PCD table includes an alloy comprising at least one Group VIII metal and at least one metallic alloying element that lowers a temperature at which melting of the at least one Group VIII metal begins. The alloy includes one or more solid solution phases comprising the at least one Group VIII metal and the at least one metallic alloying element and one or more intermediate compounds comprising the at least one Group VIII metal and the at least one metallic alloying element.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to cutting tool assemblies, material-removing machines that include cutting tool assemblies, and methods of use and operation thereof. In some embodiments, the cutting tool assemblies described herein may be used in material-removing machines that may remove target material. For example, the cutting tool assemblies may include one or more superhard working surfaces and/or one or more shields.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to polycrystalline diamond compacts (“PDCs”) including a polycrystalline diamond (“PCD”) table in which a metal-solvent catalyst is alloyed with at least one alloying element to improve thermal stability of the PCD table. In an embodiment, a PDC includes a substrate and a PCD table bonded to the substrate. The PCD table includes diamond grains defining interstitial regions. The PCD table includes an alloy comprising at least one Group VIII metal and at least one metallic alloying element that lowers a temperature at which melting of the at least one Group VIII metal begins. The alloy includes one or more solid solution phases comprising the at least one Group VIII metal and the at least one metallic alloying element and one or more intermediate compounds comprising the at least one Group VIII metal and the at least one metallic alloying element.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to cutting tool assemblies, material-removing machines that include cutting tool assemblies, and methods of use and operation thereof. In some embodiments, the cutting tool assemblies described herein may be used in material-removing machines that may remove target material. For example, the cutting tool assemblies may include one or more superhard working surfaces and/or one or more shields.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a cell assembly for use in a high-pressure cubic press may include at least one can assembly containing a diamond volume. The at least one can assembly may include an end surface in proximity to the diamond volume. The cell assembly may include at least one heating element including a major surface generally opposing and positioned adjacent to the end surface of the at least one can assembly. The at least one heating element may be positioned and configured to heat the diamond volume. The cell assembly may include at least one pressure transmitting medium extending about the at least one can assembly, and a gasket medium that defines a receiving space configured to receive the at least one can assembly, the one or more heating elements, and the at least one pressure transmitting medium.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to polycrystalline diamond compacts (“PDCs”) comprising a polycrystalline diamond (“PCD”) table including at least a portion having aluminum carbide disposed interstitially between bonded-together diamond grains thereof, and methods of fabricating such PDCs. In an embodiment, a PDC includes a substrate, and a PCD table bonded to the substrate. The PCD table includes a plurality of bonded-together diamond grains defining a plurality of interstitial regions. The PCD table further includes aluminum carbide disposed in at least a portion of the plurality of interstitial regions.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to polycrystalline diamond compacts (“PDCs”) including a polycrystalline diamond (“PCD”) table in which a metal-solvent catalyst is alloyed with at least one alloying element to improve thermal stability of the PCD table. In an embodiment, a PDC includes a substrate and a PCD table bonded to the substrate. The PCD table includes diamond grains defining interstitial regions. The PCD table includes an alloy comprising at least one Group VIII metal and at least one metallic alloying element that lowers a temperature at which melting of the at least one Group VIII metal begins. The alloy includes one or more solid solution phases comprising the at least one Group VIII metal and the at least one metallic alloying element and one or more intermediate compounds comprising the at least one Group VIII metal and the at least one metallic alloying element.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to polycrystalline diamond compacts (“PDCs”) including a polycrystalline diamond (“PCD”) table in which a metal-solvent catalyst is alloyed with at least one alloying element to improve thermal stability of the PCD table. In an embodiment, a PDC includes a substrate and a PCD table bonded to the substrate. The PCD table includes diamond grains defining interstitial regions. The PCD table includes an alloy comprising at least one Group VIII metal and at least one metallic alloying element that lowers a temperature at which melting of the at least one Group VIII metal begins. The alloy includes one or more solid solution phases comprising the at least one Group VIII metal and the at least one metallic alloying element and one or more intermediate compounds comprising the at least one Group VIII metal and the at least one metallic alloying element.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a cell assembly for use in a high-pressure cubic press may include at least one can assembly containing a diamond volume. The at least one can assembly may include an end surface in proximity to the diamond volume. The cell assembly may include at least one heating element including a major surface generally opposing and positioned adjacent to the end surface of the at least one can assembly. The at least one heating element may be positioned and configured to heat the diamond volume. The cell assembly may include at least one pressure transmitting medium extending about the at least one can assembly, and a gasket medium that defines a receiving space configured to receive the at least one can assembly, the one or more heating elements, and the at least one pressure transmitting medium.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to polycrystalline diamond compacts (“PDCs”) comprising a polycrystalline diamond (“PCD”) table including a thermally-stable region having at least one low-carbon-solubility material disposed interstitially between bonded diamond grains thereof, and methods of fabricating such PDCs. In an embodiment, a PDC includes a substrate, and a PCD table bonded to the substrate. The PCD table includes a plurality of diamond grains exhibiting diamond-to-diamond bonding therebetween and defining a plurality of interstitial regions. The PCD table further includes at least one low-carbon-solubility material disposed in at least a portion of the plurality of interstitial regions. The at least one low-carbon-solubility material exhibits a melting temperature of about 1300° C. or less and a bulk modulus at 20° C. of less than about 150 GPa.

Abstract: Magnesium based cements are provided using one or more slurry precursors. In an embodiment, a method of forming a magnesium-based cement includes providing an aqueous slurry of a magnesium compound. A magnesium cement co-reactant is also provided. The aqueous slurry of the magnesium compound is mixed with the magnesium cement co-reactant to provide the magnesium-based cement.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to polycrystalline diamond compacts (“PDCs”) comprising a polycrystalline diamond (“PCD”) table including a thermally-stable region having at least one low-carbon-solubility material disposed interstitially between bonded diamond grains thereof, and methods of fabricating such PDCs. In an embodiment, a PDC includes a substrate, and a PCD table bonded to the substrate. The PCD table includes a plurality of diamond grains exhibiting diamond-to-diamond bonding therebetween and defining a plurality of interstitial regions. The PCD table further includes at least one low-carbon-solubility material disposed in at least a portion of the plurality of interstitial regions. The at least one low-carbon-solubility material exhibits a melting temperature of about 1300° C. or less and a bulk modulus at 20° C. of less than about 150 GPa.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to cutting tool assemblies, material-removing machines that include cutting tool assemblies, and methods of use and operation thereof. In some embodiments, the cutting tool assemblies described herein may be used in material-removing machines that may remove target material. For example, the cutting tool assemblies may include one or more superhard working surfaces and/or one or more shields.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to polycrystalline diamond compacts (“PDCs”) including a polycrystalline diamond (“PCD”) table in which a metal-solvent catalyst is alloyed with at least one alloying element to improve thermal stability of the PCD table. In an embodiment, a PDC includes a substrate and a PCD table bonded to the substrate. The PCD table includes diamond grains defining interstitial regions. The PCD table includes an alloy comprising at least one Group VIII metal and at least one metallic alloying element that lowers a temperature at which melting of the at least one Group VIII metal begins. The alloy includes one or more solid solution phases comprising the at least one Group VIII metal and the at least one metallic alloying element and one or more intermediate compounds comprising the at least one Group VIII metal and the at least one metallic alloying element.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to polycrystalline diamond compacts (“PDCs”) comprising a polycrystalline diamond (“PCD”) table including at least a portion having aluminum carbide disposed interstitially between bonded-together diamond grains thereof, and methods of fabricating such PDCs. In an embodiment, a PDC includes a substrate, and a PCD table bonded to the substrate. The PCD table includes a plurality of bonded-together diamond grains defining a plurality of interstitial regions. The PCD table further includes aluminum carbide disposed in at least a portion of the plurality of interstitial regions.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to polycrystalline diamond compacts (“PDCs”) comprising a polycrystalline diamond (“PCD”) table including a thermally-stable region having at least one low-carbon-solubility material disposed interstitially between bonded diamond grains thereof, and methods of fabricating such PDCs. In an embodiment, a PDC includes a substrate, and a PCD table bonded to the substrate. The PCD table includes a plurality of diamond grains exhibiting diamond-to-diamond bonding therebetween and defining a plurality of interstitial regions. The PCD table further includes at least one low-carbon-solubility material disposed in at least a portion of the plurality of interstitial regions. The at least one low-carbon-solubility material exhibits a melting temperature of about 1300° C. or less and a bulk modulus at 20° C. of less than about 150 GPa.