Abstract: A cutting tool component which has an ultra-thin layer of ultra-hard material bonded to a cemented carbide substrate. The ultra-thin layer of ultra-hard material has a thickness of no greater than 0.2 mm. This cutting tool is used to cut workpieces under roughing and/or interrupted cut conditions. Where the workplace is a wood product or wood composite the invention extends to cutting such workpieces in general. The ultra-hard material is preferably PCD or PCBN.

Abstract: Polycrystalline diamond abrasive elements having a fine grained microstructure are produced from fine grained diamond particles and a catalyst solvent material, at least a portion of which is in the form of nanosized particles. The abrasive elements exhibit high homogeneity and exhibit significant increases in toughness and improved wear resistance.

Abstract: The invention provides a tool component comprising a first layer of polycrystalline cBN material which has a rake (working) surface and a flank surface and comprises less than 70 vol % cBN; and a secondary layer across the rake surface or at least partially across the rake surface and comprising a refractory material and optionally a binder phase and optionally cBN, wherein the secondary layer has a higher resistance to crater formation than the first layer of cBN material and has a lower affinity towards iron than cBN.

Abstract: A superhard insert for a machine tool, comprising a superhard cutter structure 20 defining a rake face 22, a flank 24 and a rounded cutting edge 26 formed by the transition between the rake face 22 and the flank 24; the flank 24 comprising a convex arcuate surface portion 28 extending away from the cutting edge 26, the arcuate surface portion 28 having a radius of curvature R2.

Abstract: The invention provides for a method of machining a substrate which includes the step of machining the substrate in an interrupted machining, impact machining or combination thereof operation using a tool which includes a tool component comprising a layer of polycrystalline diamond (12) having a working surface (16), a softer layer (20) containing a metal and bonded to the working surface (16) of the polycrystalline diamond layer (12) along an interface, the region (22) of the layer of polycrystalline diamond (12) adjacent the interface containing some metal from the softer layer (20).

Abstract: Polycrystalline diamond abrasive elements having a fine grained microstructure are produced from fine grained diamond particles and a catalyst solvent material, at least a portion of which is in the form of nanosized particles. The abrasive elements exhibit high homogeneity and exhibit significant increases in toughness and improved wear resistance.

Abstract: The invention provides for a tool component comprising a layer of polycrystalline diamond (12) having a thickness of up to 100 microns and a working surface (16). A softer layer (20) containing a metal selected from molybdenum, tantalum and niobium is bonded to the working surface (16) of the polycrystalline diamond layer (12) along an interface. The metal of the softer layer (20) is in the form of the metal carbide, the metal or a combination thereof and is present in the region (22) of the layer of polycrystalline diamond (12) adjacent the interface.

Abstract: The invention provides for a method of machining a workpiece made of a material selected from a metal, metal matrix composite, wood, synthetic, ceramic and stone and synthetic construction materials which includes the step of machining the workpiece using a tool which includes a tool component comprising a layer of polycrystalline diamond (12) having a working surface (16), a softer layer (20) containing a metal and bonded to the working surface (16) of the polycrystalline diamond layer (12) along an interface, the region (22) of the layer of polycrystalline diamond (12) adjacent the interface containing some metal from the softer layer (20).

Abstract: The invention provides a tool component comprising a first layer of polycrystalline cBN material which has a rake (working) surface and a flank surface and comprises less than 70 vol% cBN; and a secondary layer across the rake surface or at least partially across the rake surface and comprising a refractory material and optionally a binder phase and optionally cBN, wherein the secondary layer has a higher resistance to crater formation than the first layer of cBN material and has a lower affinity towards iron than cBN.

Abstract: A layer of a refractory material produced and bonded in situ to a surface of a CBN compact during the high temperature/high pressure manufacture of the CBN compact.

Abstract: A cutting tool component (10) comprising a body comprising a cemented carbide substrate (12) and having at least one working surface (14), the at least one working surface presenting a cutting edge or area (16) for the body, the at least one working surface (14) comprises PCBN adjacent the cutting edge or area (16) and extending to a depth of no greater than 0.2 mm from the at least one working surface and wherein the substrate (12) has a thickness of 1.0 to 40 mm.

Abstract: A cutting tool component which has an ultra-thin layer of ultra-hard material bonded to a cemented carbide substrate. The ultra-thin layer of ultra-hard material has a thickness of no greater than 0.2 mm. This cutting tool is used to cut workpieces under roughing and/or interrupted cut conditions. Where the workpiece is a wood product or wood composite the invention extends to cutting such workpieces in general. The ultra-hard material is preferably PCD or PCBN.