Abstract: Prosthetic joints, components for prosthetic joints, superhard bearing and articulation surfaces, diamond bearing and articulation surfaces, substrate surface topographical features, materials for making joints, bearing and articulation surfaces, and methods for manufacturing and finishing the same, and related information are disclosed, including a prosthetic hip joint having sintered polycrystalline diamond articulation.

Abstract: A method for growing a diamond film, substantially free of voids, having an average crystallite size greater than about 15 microns, a maximum intensity of the diamond Raman peak in counts/sec divided by the intensity of photoluminescence at 1270 cm.sup.-1 greater than about 3, a Raman sp.sup.3 full width half maximum less than about 6 cm.sup.-1, and a diamond-to-graphite Raman ratio greater than about 25, includes the steps of preparing a substrate by abrasion with diamond particles; placing the substrate in a CVD reactor; depositing diamond during a first deposition stage by providing an atmosphere consisting essentially of a mixture of about 200 sccm H.sub.2 and 10 sccm CH.sub.4, at a pressure of about 90 Torr, providing between about 1,800 and 1,950 watts of microwave power at a frequency of about 2.45 GHz to ignite and sustain a plasma in the region of said substrate, and maintaining the substrate at a temperature of between about 625.degree. C. and 675.degree. C.

Abstract: The present invention comprises an article formed from a plurality of non-diamond particles compatible with diamond deposition preformed into a desired shape. Each of the particles has first surface regions in contact with immediately adjacent other ones of the particles, and second surface regions spaced apart from the immediately adjacent other ones of said particles to define boundaries of inter-particle voids between the immediately adjacent ones of the particles. The voids are infiltrated with high thermal conductivity CVD diamond material continuously coating the second surface regions of the particles and comprising merged growth fronts from the second surface regions of individual immediately adjacent ones of the particles into the inter-particle voids.

Abstract: A CVD diamond material, substantially free of voids, has an average crystallite size greater than about 15 microns, a maximum intensity of the diamond Raman peak in counts/sec divided by the intensity of photoluminescence at 1270 cm.sup.-1 greater than about 3, a Raman sp.sup.3 full width half maximum less than about 6 cm.sup.-1 and a diamond-to-graphite Raman ratio greater than about 25. The diamond material may also comprise carbon atoms with a C.sup.13 content less than 0.05 atomic %.

Abstract: A diamond film having an intensity ratio of diamond-Raman-peak-to-photoluminescence background intensity greater than about 20, a maximum intensity of the diamond Raman peak in counts/sec divided by the intensity of photoluminescence at 1270 cm greater than about 3, a Raman sp full width half maximum less than about 6 cm and a diamond-to-graphite Raman ratio greater than about 25. The diamond film has a thermal conductivity of at least 17 Wcm K.

Abstract: The present invention comprises an article formed for a plurality of diamond-coated fibers preformed into a desired shape. Each of the fibers has first surface regions in contact with immediately adjacent other ones of the fibers, and second surface regions spaced apart from the immediately adjacent other ones of said fibers to define boundaries of inter-fiber voids between the immediately adjacent ones of the fibers. The voids are infiltrated with high thermal conductivity CVD diamond material continuously coating the second surface regions of the fibers and comprising merged growth fronts from the second surface regions of individual immediately adjacent ones of the fibers into the inter-particle voids.

Abstract: Method for consolidating diamond material, substantially free of voids, has an average crystallite size greater than about 15 microns, a maximum intensity of the diamond Raman peak in counts/sec divided by the intensity of photoluminescence at 1270 cm.sup.-1 greater than about 3, a Raman sp.sup.3 full width half maximum less than about 6 cm.sup.-1 and a diamond-to-graphite Raman ratio greater than about 25. The diamond material may also comprise carbon atoms with a C.sup.13 content less than 0.05 atomic %.

Abstract: A diamond coated article, wherein the diamond has a thermal conductivity of at least 17 Wcm K.

Abstract: A two-stage microwave plasma CVD process is disclosed for making a CVD diamond material, substantially free of voids, which has an average crystallite size greater than about 15 microns, a maximum intensity of the diamond Raman peak in counts/sec divided by the intensity of photoluminescence at 1270 cm.sup.-1 greater than about 3, a Raman sp.sup.3 full width half maximum less than about 6 cm.sup.-1 and a diamond-to-graphite Raman ratio greater than about 25.

Abstract: The present invention comprises an article formed from a plurality of diamond particles and non-diamond particles compatible with diamond deposition preformed into a desired shape. Each of the particles has first surface regions in contact with immediately adjacent other ones of the particles, and second surface regions spaced apart from the immediately adjacent other ones of said particles to define boundaries of inter-particle voids between the immediately adjacent ones of the particles. The voids are infiltrated with high thermal conductivity CVD diamond material continuously coating the second surface regions of the particles and comprising merged growth fronts from the second surface regions of individual immediately adjacent ones of the particles into the inter-particle voids.