Abstract: A diamond abrasive body which comprises a coherent, skeletal diamond mass constituting at least 70 percent by volume of the body and a glass phase comprising up to 30 percent by volume of the body uniformly dispersed throughout the diamond mass. The glass phase has a melting point in the range 800.degree. to 1400.degree. C. The abrasive body has good thermal stability and strength making it suitable for use as an insert for tools such as dressing tools and surface set drill bits. The abrasive body is produced by infiltrating molten glass into a coherent skeletal diamond mass. The glass phase is preferably transformed to a ceramic form by heat treatment of the infiltrated diamond mass.

Abstract: There is provided an abrasive body comprising a composite abrasive compact bonded to a metal containing substrate, typically made of cemented carbide, through a bonding layer comprising nickel, copper, cobalt, iron or an alloy containing one or more of these metals. The abrasive body has particular application as a cutting element for a drill crown.The abrasive body is made by bonding the composite abrasive compact to the substrate using solid state diffusion bonding techniques.

Abstract: There is provided a method of bonding an abrasive compact to a metal-containing support body, typically a body of cemented carbide, using solid state diffusion bonding techniques. The metal which is used for the diffusion bonding is nickel, copper, cobalt, iron or an alloy containing one or more of these metals.