Abstract: PCBN material consisting of cBN grains dispersed in a matrix, the content of the cBN grains being in the range of about 35 to about 70 volume % of the PCBN material. The matrix comprises at least one kind of chemical compound that includes aluminum (Al) and at least one kind of chemical compound that includes titanium (Ti). The size distribution of the cBN grains exposed at a surface of the PCBN material is such that at least about 50% percent of the total equivalent circle area (ECA) arises from cBN intercept lengths up to 5 microns. At least about 20 percent of the total ECA arises from cBN intercept lengths greater than about 5 microns.

Abstract: A cubic nitride compact containing a polycrystalline mass of cubic boron nitride particles, present in an amount of at least 70 percent by volume, and a binder phase, which is metallic in character. In addition, a compact in which the binder phase is preferably superalloy in character.

Abstract: A composite part comprises (a) a cutting element which comprises super-hard cutting table and a substrate and (b) a metal or alloy layer. Respective first surfaces of the superhard cutting table and the substrate are joined to each other, and the metal or alloy layer is located adjacent to second surfaces of the cutting table and the substrate so as to surround the joined first surfaces of the cutting table and the substrate. The metal or alloy layer and the second surfaces of one or both of the cutting table and substrate are co-operatively shaped substantially to prevent relative movement therebetween. The metal or alloy layer may be used to secure the cutting element within a tool body, and advantageously provides a convenient means to effect that securement, while simultaneously protecting the join between the superhard cutting table and the substrate during the process of securement of the cutting element to the tool body.

Abstract: A temperature sensor comprises a body of polycrystalline superhard material comprising a plurality of intergrown grains and a binder phase, the polycrystalline material defining a plurality of interstices between the grains, the binder phase being distributed in a plurality of the interstices; and two or more electrodes attached to or embedded in the body of polycrystalline material arranged to measure bulk resistance of the polycrystalline superhard material between the electrodes, the measured resistance being indicative of the temperature of the body of polycrystalline material.

Abstract: A cubic nitride compact having a polycrystalline mass of cubic boron nitride particles, present in an amount of at least 70 percent by volume and a binder phase, which is metallic in character. In addition, a compact in which the binder phase is preferably superalloy in character.

Abstract: A pick tool (100) comprising a strike member (110) non-moveably attached to a pick body (120), the strike member comprising a strike structure. The strike structure comprises super-hard material and defines a planar strike surface (112), the strike surface defining a cutting edge (114) that includes an apex (115) in the plane of the strike surface (112). The thickness of at least a proximate volume (107) of the strike structure adjacent the cutting edge (114) is at least about 2 millimeters.

Abstract: A tip for a pick tool, comprising a polycrystalline diamond (PCD) structure joined to a substrate body. The PCD structure has a strike surface including an apex opposite a boundary with the substrate body. At least an outer volume of the PCD structure contains filler material between diamond grains, the content of the filler material being more than 5 weight percent of the PCD material in the outer volume. The outer volume is proximate at least an area of the strike surface including the apex, and the thickness of the PCD structure between the apex and the boundary with the substrate body is at least 2.5 mm.

Abstract: A pick assembly is provided, comprising a bit assembly and a holder assembly; the bit assembly comprising a bit support body, a fastener mechanism and a deflectable member, cooperatively configured such the deflectable member can be deflected responsive to the progressive coupling of the bit support body to the fastener mechanism. The holder assembly comprises a holder body and is configured for accommodating and retaining the bit assembly by interference means. The holder assembly and bit assembly are cooperatively configured such that the retention of the bit assembly by the holder assembly by interference means can be progressively increased responsive to the progressive coupling of the bit support body with the fastener mechanism when the bit assembly is accommodated by the holder assembly, operative to prevent substantial movement of the bit support body relative to the holder body in use.

Abstract: A rock removal body comprises a PCD material (601) bonded to a substrate (602) along an interface. The body is of right circular cylindrical shape and the PCD material has a thickness (607) from the circumferential edge axially along the surface of the barrel portion of around 3 mm or greater, and a functional working volume (606) having a maximum extent such that the final wear surface does not intersect the interface of the PCD material volume and the substrate. The PCD material volume comprises a diamond network and a metallic component forming a metallic network, the substrate comprises a cementing metal, the metallic component and the cementing metal being independent of one another, independently derived, have not interacted during the high pressure high temperature manufacturing process, are measurably distinguishable and are preselected to be different with respect to their alloy composition. The PCD material encompasses the functional working 609 volume and is homogeneous.

Abstract: A cutter element (100) for a rotary machine tool having an axis of rotation, the cutter element comprising a plurality of cutting edges (110) defined by at least one cutter structure (120) comprising superhard material, consecutive cutting edges being spaced apart by at most 10 mm and configured operable to cut a body when moved in a direction that is substantially non-aligned with the axis of rotation.

Abstract: A method of making a superhard construction includes providing a polycrystalline superhard (PCS) structure comprising bonded grains of a superhard material, providing an aggregated mass comprising grains of the superhard material, and providing a substrate having a recess configured for accommodating the PCS structure. The PCS structure is placed into the recess with the aggregated mass of superhard grains positioned adjacent the PCS structure to form an unjoined assembly. Pressure and heat are then applied to the unjoined assembly to join the aggregated mass to the PCS structure and form the superhard construction.

Abstract: A superhard structure comprises a body of polycrystalline superhard material comprising a first region and a second region. The second region is adjacent an exposed surface of the superhard structure and comprises a diamond material or cubic boron nitride with a density greater than 3.4×103 kilograms per cubic meter when the second region comprises diamond material. The material(s) forming the first and second regions have a difference in coefficient of thermal expansion, the first and second regions being arranged such that this difference induces compression in the second region adjacent the exposed surface. The first/a further region has the highest coefficient of thermal expansion of the polycrystalline body and is separated in part from a peripheral free surface of the body by the second region or one or more further regions formed of a material(s) of a lower coefficient of thermal expansion. The regions comprise a plurality of grains of polycrystalline superhard material.

Abstract: A superhard polycrystalline construction (1) comprises a body (12) of polycrystalline superhard material having a cutting face (14) and a substrate (10) bonded to the body of polycrystalline superhard material along an interface (18). The substrate comprises a substrate body and a first end surface ( )20 forming the interface, the first end surface of the substrate comprising a projection extending from the body of the substrate into the body of superhard material towards the cutting face. The projection has an outer peripheral surface around which the body of polycrystalline superhard material extends. The body of polycrystalline superhard material has a thickness (h) from the cutting face along the peripheral side edge (13) to the interface with the substrate of at least around 4 mm and at least a portion of the projection has a thickness measured in a plane extending along the longitudinal axis of the construction of at least around 4 mm.

Abstract: A pick tool comprising a super-hard strike tip, a base and a unitary cemented carbide support body comprising a head portion including an overhang portion, and an insertion shaft extending from the head portion, a surface of the overhang portion extending laterally from the insertion shaft; the strike tip is attached to the head portion of the support body and the base is provided with a bore into which the insertion shaft is shrink fitted; the base has an external surface adjacent the bore and overhang portion of the head portion is configured to extend over at least an area of the external surface operative to shield the area from wear when in use.

Abstract: Tips for pick tools and pick tools comprising same are provided. The tip comprises an impact structure formed joined at a non-planar boundary surface of a substrate. The boundary surface includes a depression. The impact structure comprises super-hard material and has a working end including an apex opposite the depression. The boundary surface of the substrate comprises a ridge at the periphery of the depression and a generally tapered circumferential region depending away from the ridge towards a side of the tip, a lowest point of the depression being directly opposite the apex.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a bit for a rotary drill, the bit including a drill tip (30), the method including providing a precursor structure (10) comprising substrate body (14) and a super-hard structure (12) joined to an upper surface of the substrate body; cutting a plurality of conformal inserts (20) from the precursor structure (10), each insert (20) comprising a part of the super-hard structure; providing a drill tip (30) configured for receiving the insert (20); and joining the insert to the drill tip (30).

Abstract: A tip for a degradation tool, the tip comprising a PCD structure (20) joined to a cemented carbide substrate (30); the PCD structure comprising a plurality of strata (24, 25) arranged so that adjacent strata have alternating compressive and tensile stress states, adjacent strata comprising different PCD grades and being directly bonded to each other by inter-growth of diamond grains; each stratum having a mean thickness of at most 500 microns; the PCD structure defining a working end including a rounded conical apex (22) having a radius of curvature of 1.3 mm to 4 mm.

Abstract: A containment element for a pressure containment assembly, comprising mullite or a polymorph of mullite.

Abstract: A strike tip for a pick tool, comprising a strike structure joined to a substrate at an interface boundary, the strike structure comprising super-hard material and the substrate comprising carbide material. The strike structure has a strike end opposite the interface boundary, the strike end including a rounded apex having a radius of curvature in a longitudinal plane of at least 3.2 mm and at most 6 mm.

Abstract: A cutting element is described comprising a super-hard cutting table, a substrate and a metal or alloy layer. A surface of the superhard cutting table, is joined to the substrate by means of the metal or alloy layer which is positioned between them. At least a first surface of the metal or alloy layer and at least a first surface of the cutting table are co-operatively shaped with each other such that the co-operative shaping substantially prevents relative movement between the cutting table and the metal or alloy layer.