Abstract: A superhard cutter element for machining a workpiece comprising wood, metal, ceramic material or composite material, the superhard cutter comprising a superhard structure (140) having a rake side (110) and a flank side (120), the rake side (110) and the flank side (120) enclosing a wedge angle ?; and a protective layer (170) bonded to the superhard structure (140) at a rake interface (180) on the rake side (110), the protective layer (170) being softer than the material of the superhard structure (140).

Abstract: A cutting tool component which has an ultra-thin layer of ultra-hard material bonded to a cemented carbide substrate. The ultra-thin layer of ultra-hard material has a thickness of no greater than 0.2 mm. This cutting tool is used to cut workpieces under roughing and/or interrupted cut conditions. Where the workplace is a wood product or wood composite the invention extends to cutting such workpieces in general. The ultra-hard material is preferably PCD or PCBN.

Abstract: Polycrystalline diamond abrasive elements having a fine grained microstructure are produced from fine grained diamond particles and a catalyst solvent material, at least a portion of which is in the form of nanosized particles. The abrasive elements exhibit high homogeneity and exhibit significant increases in toughness and improved wear resistance.

Abstract: The invention provides a tool component comprising a first layer of polycrystalline cBN material which has a rake (working) surface and a flank surface and comprises less than 70 vol % cBN; and a secondary layer across the rake surface or at least partially across the rake surface and comprising a refractory material and optionally a binder phase and optionally cBN, wherein the secondary layer has a higher resistance to crater formation than the first layer of cBN material and has a lower affinity towards iron than cBN.

Abstract: A superhard cutter element for machining a workpiece comprising wood, metal, ceramic material or composite material, the superhard cutter comprising a superhard structure (140) having a rake side (110) and a flank side (120), the rake side (110) and the flank side (120) enclosing a wedge angle ?; and a protective layer (170) bonded to the superhard structure (140) at a rake interface (180) on the rake side (110), the protective layer (170) being softer than the material of the superhard structure (140).

Abstract: The invention provides for a method of machining a substrate which includes the step of machining the substrate in an interrupted machining, impact machining or combination thereof operation using a tool which includes a tool component comprising a layer of polycrystalline diamond (12) having a working surface (16), a softer layer (20) containing a metal and bonded to the working surface (16) of the polycrystalline diamond layer (12) along an interface, the region (22) of the layer of polycrystalline diamond (12) adjacent the interface containing some metal from the softer layer (20).

Abstract: Polycrystalline diamond abrasive elements having a fine grained microstructure are produced from fine grained diamond particles and a catalyst solvent material, at least a portion of which is in the form of nanosized particles. The abrasive elements exhibit high homogeneity and exhibit significant increases in toughness and improved wear resistance.

Abstract: The invention provides for a tool component comprising a layer of polycrystalline diamond (12) having a thickness of up to 100 microns and a working surface (16). A softer layer (20) containing a metal selected from molybdenum, tantalum and niobium is bonded to the working surface (16) of the polycrystalline diamond layer (12) along an interface. The metal of the softer layer (20) is in the form of the metal carbide, the metal or a combination thereof and is present in the region (22) of the layer of polycrystalline diamond (12) adjacent the interface.

Abstract: The invention provides for a method of machining a workpiece made of a material selected from a metal, metal matrix composite, wood, synthetic, ceramic and stone and synthetic construction materials which includes the step of machining the workpiece using a tool which includes a tool component comprising a layer of polycrystalline diamond (12) having a working surface (16), a softer layer (20) containing a metal and bonded to the working surface (16) of the polycrystalline diamond layer (12) along an interface, the region (22) of the layer of polycrystalline diamond (12) adjacent the interface containing some metal from the softer layer (20).

Abstract: The invention provides a tool component comprising a first layer of polycrystalline cBN material which has a rake (working) surface and a flank surface and comprises less than 70 vol% cBN; and a secondary layer across the rake surface or at least partially across the rake surface and comprising a refractory material and optionally a binder phase and optionally cBN, wherein the secondary layer has a higher resistance to crater formation than the first layer of cBN material and has a lower affinity towards iron than cBN.

Abstract: A layer of a refractory material produced and bonded in situ to a surface of a CBN compact during the high temperature/high pressure manufacture of the CBN compact.

Abstract: A cutting tool component (10) comprising a body comprising a cemented carbide substrate (12) and having at least one working surface (14), the at least one working surface presenting a cutting edge or area (16) for the body, the at least one working surface (14) comprises PCBN adjacent the cutting edge or area (16) and extending to a depth of no greater than 0.2 mm from the at least one working surface and wherein the substrate (12) has a thickness of 1.0 to 40 mm.

Abstract: A cutting tool component which has an ultra-thin layer of ultra-hard material bonded to a cemented carbide substrate. The ultra-thin layer of ultra-hard material has a thickness of no greater than 0.2 mm. This cutting tool is used to cut workpieces under roughing and/or interrupted cut conditions. Where the workpiece is a wood product or wood composite the invention extends to cutting such workpieces in general. The ultra-hard material is preferably PCD or PCBN.

Abstract: A method of producing an abrasive product comprises providing a mixture of a mass of discrete carbide particles and a mass of diamond particles, the diamond particles being present in the mixture in an amount such that the diamond content of the abrasive product is 25% or less by weight, and subjecting the mixture to elevated temperature and pressure conditions at which the diamond is crystallographically stable and at which substantially no graphite is formed, in the presence of a bonding metal or alloy capable of bonding the mixture into a coherent, sintered product, to produce the abrasive product. The bonding metal or alloy is preferably a combination of a transition metal or a transition metal alloy and up to 40% by volume of the bonding metal or alloy of a second metal which is a stronger carbide former than the transition metal or the transition metal alloy, or an alloy of the second metal.

Abstract: A method of producing an abrasive product consists of providing a mixture of a mass of discrete carbide particles and a mass of cubic boron nitride particles, the cubic boron nitride particles being present in the mixture in an amount such that the cubic boron nitride content of the abrasive product is 25% or less by weight, and subjecting the mixture to elevated temperature and pressure conditions at which the cubic boron nitride is crystallographically stable and at which substantially no hexagonal boron nitride is formed, in the presence of a bonding metal or alloy capable of bonding the mixture into a coherent, sintered product, to form the abrasive product. The bonding metal or alloy comprises a combination of a transition metal or a transition alloy and up to 40% by volume of the bonding metal or alloy of a second metal which is a stronger nitride or boride former than the transition metal or the transition metal alloy.

Abstract: An abrasive and wear resistant material comprises a mass of carbide particles, a mass of cubic boron nitride particles, and a bonding metal or alloy, bonded into a coherent, sintered form. The cubic boron nitride particle content of the material is from 10% to 18% inclusive by weight, the particle size of the cubic boron nitride is less than 20 micron or less, and the material is substantially free of hexagonal boron nitride. The abrasive material is of particular use in tool components or inserts for application in the abrading of wood and other lignocellulosic materials.