Abstract: The present application is a new improvement in the fine-grained cubic boron nitride sintered compact which may be employed to manufacture a cutting tool. The compact contains at least 80 vol % cBN with a metallic binder system and is sintered under HPHT conditions. The improvement incorporates alloys of aluminum in the metallic binder system.

Abstract: Provided is a polycrystalline diamond cutter with a substrate and a diamond body in which the diamond body includes bonded diamond particles and discernable diamondene fragments. The polycrystalline diamond cutter is manufactured by a high pressure high temperature method that includes sintering a diamond feed layer in which the diamond feed layer includes diamond particles and diamondene fragments.

Abstract: A cubic boron nitride (cBN)-based composite including about 30-65 vol. % cBN, about 3-30 vol. % zirconium (Zr)-containing compounds, about 0-10 vol. % cobalt-tungsten-borides (CoxWyBz), about 2-30 vol. % aluminum oxide (Al2O3), about 0.5-10 vol. % tungsten borides, and less than or equal to about 5 vol. % aluminum nitride (AlN).

Abstract: A cubic boron nitride (cBN)-based composite including about 30-65 vol. % cBN, about 15-45 vol. % titanium (Ti)-containing binders, about 2-20 vol. % zirconium dioxide (ZrO2), about 3-15 vol. % cobalt-tungsten-borides (CoxWyBz), and about 2-15 vol. % aluminum oxide (Al2O3).

Abstract: Diamond bodies and methods of manufacture are disclosed. Diamond bodies are formed from at least a bimodal, alternatively a tri-modal or higher modal, feedstock having at least one fraction of modified diamond particles with a fine particle size (0.5-3.0 ?m) and at least one fraction of diamond particles with coarse particle size (15.0 to 30 ?m). During high pressure-high temperature processing, fine particle sized, modified diamond particles in the first fraction preferentially fracture to smaller sizes while preserving the morphology of coarse particle sized diamond particles in the second fraction. Diamond bodies incorporating the two fractions have a microstructure including second fraction diamond particles dispersed in a continuous matrix of first fraction modified diamond particles and exhibit improved wear characteristics, particularly for wear associated with drilling of geological formations.

Abstract: A superabrasive compact and a method of making the superabrasive compact are disclosed. A method of making a superabrasive compact comprises steps of providing a plurality of superabrasive particles having a particle size distribution with a first ratio (d50)/(d50 principle particles) ranging from about 0.86 to about 0.92; providing a support to the plurality of superabrasive particles; and subjecting the support and the plurality of superabrasive particles to conditions of an elevated temperature and pressure suitable for producing the polycrystalline superabrasive compact.

Abstract: A polycrystalline diamond compact includes a polycrystalline diamond material having a plurality of grains of diamond bonded to one another by inter-granular bonds and an intermetallic gamma prime (??) or ?-carbide phase disposed within interstitial spaces between the inter-bonded diamond grains. The ordered intermetallic gamma prime (??) or ?-carbide phase includes a Group VIII metal, aluminum, and a stabilizer. An earth-boring tool includes a bit body and a polycrystalline diamond compact secured to the bit body. A method of forming polycrystalline diamond includes subjecting diamond particles in the presence of a metal material comprising a Group VIII metal and aluminum to a pressure of at least 4.5 GPa and a temperature of at least 1,000° C. to form inter-granular bonds between adjacent diamond particles, cooling the diamond particles and the metal material to a temperature below 500° C., and forming an intermetallic gamma prime (??) or ?-carbide phase adjacent the diamond particles.

Abstract: A method for the measurement of temperature in high temperature and high pressure processes includes the steps of providing at least a first material compound and at least a second material compound. The at least first and second compounds are mixed to form a material sample. The material sample is loaded into a device and the device and material sample are subjected to a high pressure of up to about 10 GPa and a high temperature of up to about 1700° C. to form the material sample into a solid crystalline solution. The material sample is recovered for analysis and the composition of the crystalline solid solution is measured to determine the temperature.

Abstract: Polycrystalline diamond compacts having interstitial diamonds and methods of forming polycrystalline diamond compact shaving interstitial diamonds with a quench cycle are described herein. In one embodiment, a polycrystalline diamond compact includes a substrate and a polycrystalline diamond body attached to the substrate. The polycrystalline diamond body includes a plurality of inter-bonded diamond grains that are attached to one another in an interconnected network of diamond grains and interstitial pockets between the inter-bonded diamond grains, and a plurality of interstitial diamond grains that are positioned in the interstitial pockets. Each of the plurality of interstitial diamond grains are attached to a single diamond grain of the interconnected network of diamond grains or other interstitial diamond grains.

Abstract: Polycrystalline diamond cutters for rotary drill bits and methods of making the same are disclosed. Polycrystalline diamond cutters include a support substrate and a polycrystalline diamond body coupled to the support substrate. The polycrystalline diamond body includes a plurality of diamond grains exhibiting inter-diamond bonding therebetween and defining a plurality of interstitial regions, a non-catalytic material distributed throughout the polycrystalline diamond body in a detectable amount, and a catalytic material distributed throughout the polycrystalline diamond body in a detectable amount.

Abstract: Polycrystalline diamond bodies having an annular region of diamond grains and a core region of diamond grains and methods of making the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, a polycrystalline diamond body (120) includes an annular region (142) of inter-bonded diamond grains having a first characteristic property and a core region (140) of inter-bonded diamond grains bonded to the annular region and having a second characteristic property that differs from the first characteristic property. The annular region decreases in thickness from a perimeter surface of the polycrystalline diamond body towards a centerline axis.

Abstract: A superabrasive cutter and a method of making the superabrasive cutter are disclosed. The superabrasive cutter may comprise a plurality of polycrystalline superabrasive particles and about 0.01% to about 4% by weight of the superabrasive particles of a dopant as evaluated prior to a high pressure/high temperature process. The dopant may be immiscible with a catalyst for forming the polycrystalline superabrasive particles.

Abstract: Polycrystalline diamond bodies having an annular region of diamond grains and a core region of diamond grains and methods of making the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, a polycrystalline diamond body includes an annular region of inter-bonded diamond grains having a first characteristic property and a core region of inter-bonded diamond grains bonded to the annular region and having a second characteristic property that differs from the first characteristic property. The annular region decreases in thickness from a perimeter surface of the polycrystalline diamond body towards a centerline axis.

Abstract: Diamond bodies and methods of manufacture are disclosed. Diamond bodies are formed from at least a bimodal, alternatively a tri-modal or higher modal, feedstock having at least one fraction of modified diamond particles with a fine particle size (0.5-3.0 ?m) and at least one fraction of diamond particles with coarse particle size (15.0 to 30 ?m). During high pressure—high temperature processing, fine particle sized, modified diamond particles in the first fraction preferentially fracture to smaller sizes while preserving the morphology of coarse particle sized diamond particles in the second fraction. Diamond bodies incorporating the two fractions have a microstructure including second fraction diamond particles dispersed in a continuous matrix of first fraction modified diamond particles and exhibit improved wear characteristics, particularly for wear associated with drilling of geological formations.

Abstract: Superabrasive compacts and methods of making superabrasive compacts are disclosed. A superabrasive compact includes a polycrystalline diamond table and a substrate attached to the polycrystalline diamond table. The substrate includes a hard metal carbide and a binder having a compound with a composition of AxByCz, where A and B are transition metals, where C is carbon, and where 0?x?7, 0?y?7, x+y=7, and 0?z?3.

Abstract: The present application is a new improvement in the fine-grained cubic Boron Nitride sintered compact which may be employed to manufacture a cutting tool. The compact contains at least 80 vol % cBN and is sintered under HPHT conditions. The invention has lower levels of unreacted cobalt in the final sintered material than conventions materials. The invention has proved beneficial in the machining of ferrous metal alloys such as sintered metal alloys.

Abstract: Diamond particles with enhanced reactivity are used to sinter polycrystalline diamond (PCD), under high pressure and high temperature conditions. Copper and tin form a solution with transition metal catalyst (cobalt) used to sinter diamond particles. Copper and tin enhance the reactivity of the diamond particles, reduce the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) mismatch between cobalt and polycrystalline diamond, and lead to a more homogeneous distribution of catalyst metal in PCD. A cutting element may comprise a substrate and a polycrystalline diamond table bonded to the substrate produced by sintering diamond particles with enhanced reactivity mixed with standard diamond particles and chemical additives. These combined effects (more reactive diamond particles, reduced CTE mismatch, and homogeneous distribution of catalyst metal) lead to better performing tools.

Abstract: A transition metal catalyst free polycrystalline diamond compact having enhanced thermal stability is disclosed herein. The diamond compact may be attached to a hard metal substrate. The polycrystalline diamond body includes a plurality of diamond grains bonded to adjacent diamond grains by diamond-to-diamond bonds. Sintering of the PCD and the formation of diamond-to-diamond bonding is achieved by transforming graphene treated diamond crystals that are blended with non-metal additives at high pressure and high temperature into a diamond compact that is free of transition metal catalysts. Non-metal additives include vitreous and other non-equilibrium forms of carbon as well as Sr-, K- and Ca-containing carbon sources.