Abstract: A superhard element (22) for a machine tool, comprising polycrystalline cubic boron nitride (PCBN) material containing whiskers of a ceramic material, the PCBN material comprising at least about 50 volume percent cubic boron nitride (cBN) material dispersed in a binder matrix comprising a compound including titanium and the whiskers; the content of the whiskers being at least 1 weight percent and at most 6 weight percent of the binder matrix.

Abstract: PCBN material consisting essentially of cubic boron nitride (cBN) grains and binder material, the content of the cBN grains being at least 80 weight percent of the PCBN material; the binder material comprising greater than 50 weight percent Al and a combined content of at least 5 weight percent of an iron group element and a refractory element, the iron group element selected from the group consisting of Co, Fe, Ni and Mn, and the refractory element selected from the group consisting of W, Cr, V, Mo, Ta, Ti, Hf and Zr.

Abstract: PCBN material consisting essentially of cubic boron nitride (cBN) grains and binder material, the content of the cBN grains being at least 80 weight percent of the PCBN material; the binder material comprising greater than 50 weight percent Al and a combined content of at least 5 weight percent of an iron group element and a refractory element, the iron group element selected from the group consisting of Co, Fe, Ni and Mn, and the refractory element selected from the group consisting of W, Cr, V, Mo, Ta, Ti, Hf and Zr.

Abstract: A superhard element (22) for a machine tool, comprising polycrystalline cubic boron nitride (PCBN) material containing whiskers of a ceramic material, the PCBN material comprising at least about 50 volume percent cubic boron nitride (cBN) material dispersed in a binder matrix comprising a compound including titanium and the whiskers; the content of the whiskers being at least 1 weight percent and at most 6 weight percent of the binder matrix.

Abstract: A method of producing a tool insert which comprises a central metal portion having edge regions of superabrasive material bonded thereto and presenting cutting edges or points for the tool insert is disclosed. A body (50) having major surfaces on each of opposite sides thereof, each having spaced strips (64) of superabrasive material, typically abrasive compact such as PCBN or PCD, for example, separated by a metal region or regions, such as cemented carbide, is provided. Each superabrasive strip of one major surface is arranged in register with a superabrasive strip of the opposite major surface. Alternatively, each superabrasive strip extends from one major surface to the opposite major surface. The body is severed from one major surface to the opposite major surface along at least two sets of planes intersecting at or in the respective superabrasive strips to produce the tool insert.

Abstract: A method of producing a tool insert is disclosed. A body (50) of a superabrasive material having major surfaces on each of opposite sides thereof is provided. It is typically an abrasive compact disc such as a PCBN or a PCD disc, for example. An array of spaced cores (58) filled with hard metal, such as cemented carbide, for example, extends from one major surface to the opposite major surface. The body is severed from one major surface to the opposite major surface along intersecting, transverse lines (68) around the respective hard metal cores to produce the tool insert. The body may include an interlayer (56) of hard metal intermediate the opposite major surfaces, preferably the same hard metal as the cores, such that the cores are integrally formed with the interlayer.

Abstract: A method of producing a tool insert which comprises a central metal portion having edge regions of superabrasive material bonded thereto and presenting cutting edges or points for the tool insert is disclosed. A body (50) having major surfaces on each of opposite sides thereof, each having spaced strips (64) of superabrasive material, typically abrasive compact such as PCBN or PCD, for example, separated by a metal region or regions, such as cemented carbide, is provided. Each superabrasive strip of one major surface is arranged in register with a superabrasive strip of the opposite major surface. Alternatively, each superabrasive strip extends from one major surface to the opposite major surface. The body is severed from one major surface to the opposite major surface along at least two sets of planes intersecting at or in the respective superabrasive strips to produce the tool insert.