Abstract: Polycrystalline diamond abrasive elements made by incorporating low levels of at least one metal boride, the metal being selected from magnesium, calcium, aluminum, strontium, yttrium, zirconium, hafnium and chromium, and the rare earth metals, particularly cerium and lanthanum. The benefits of adding boron to polycrystalline diamond abrasive compacts are exploited together with simultaneously minimizing or eliminating the detrimental effects of the presence of oxygen.

Abstract: The invention relates to a boron carbide composite material comprising diamond particles and boron carbide, the composite material having a porosity of less than 2 percent by volume. The invention further relates to a method for manufacturing such materials, the method including coating a plurality of diamond particles with boron carbide, combining the plurality of diamond particles to form a green body and subjecting the green body to a temperature in the range from about 1,200 degrees centigrade to about 2,000 degrees centigrade and pressure or vacuum not exceeding about 2,000 Mpa.

Abstract: The invention relates to a boron carbide composite material comprising diamond particles and boron carbide, the composite material having a porosity of less than 2 percent by volume. The invention further relates to a method for manufacturing such materials, the method including coating a plurality of diamond particles with boron carbide, combining the plurality of diamond particles to form a green body and subjecting the green body to a temperature in the range from about 1,200 degrees centigrade to about 2,000 degrees centigrade and pressure or vacuum not exceeding about 2,000 Mpa.

Abstract: A method of treating the working surface of an abrasive compact having a working surface. The working surface, or a region adjacent the working surface, of the abrasive compact is contacted with a halogen gas or a gaseous environment containing a source of halide ions, preferably at a temperature at or below 800° C., in order to remove catalysing material and any foreign metal matrix material from the region adjacent the working surface.

Abstract: A process forming boron coated abrasives, in particular boron coated abrasive particles, which may be used in saw blade segments, grinding wheels and other grit-containing tools. While the process is particularly suited to the coating of abrasive particles, it can be applied to any abrasives for use in grinding, cutting or polishing tools, or to such tools themselves. In the case of abrasive particles, these are mixed with boron and boric acid powder, in a suitable ratio, and furnaced at a temperature between 800 and 1200° C. for a length of time in an inert atmosphere sufficient to coat the particles.

Abstract: Polycrystalline diamond abrasive elements made by incorporating low levels of at least one metal boride, the metal being selected from magnesium, calcium, aluminium, strontium, yttrium, zirconium, hafnium and chromium, and the rare earth metals, particularly cerium and lanthanum. The benefits of adding boron to polycrystalline diamond abrasive compacts are exploited together with simultaneously minimising or eliminating the detrimental effects of the presence of oxygen.

Abstract: A method of treating the working surface of an abrasive compact having a working surface. The working surface, or a region adjacent the working surface, of the abrasive compact is contacted with a halogen gas or a gaseous environment containing a source of halide ions, preferably at a temperature at or below 800° C., in order to remove catalysing material and any foreign metal matrix material from the region adjacent the working surface.

Abstract: A diamond electrode comprises a polycrystalline mass of diamond particles bonded together and has a porous surface, or an at least partly porous surface. The porous surface of the electrode is typically created by leaching non-diamond material, such as a second phase of a metallic material, at least in part, from the bonded polycrystalline mass of diamond particles, either before or after shaping it into an electrode. Alternatively, or additionally, the porous surface of the electrode may be created by subjecting a mass of diamond particles to conditions of elevated temperature and pressure to self-bond the particles together in the absence of a second phase.

Abstract: A diamond electrode comprises a polycrystalline mass of diamond particles bonded together and has a porous surface, or an at least partly porous surface. The porous surface of the electrode is typically created by leaching non-diamond material, such as a second phase of a metallic material, at least in part, from the bonded polycrystalline mass of diamond particles, either before or after shaping it into an electrode. Alternatively, or additionally, the porous surface of the electrode may be created by subjecting a mass of diamond particles to conditions of elevated temperature and pressure to self-bond the particles together in the absence of a second phase.