Abstract: A method of treating a sintered mining insert including cemented carbide includes the step of subjecting the mining insert to a surface hardening process. The surface hardening process is executed at an elevated temperature of or above 100° C. A mining insert is also provided, wherein the HV1 Vickers hardness measurement increase (HV1%) from the surface region, measured as an average of HV1 measurements taken at 100 ?m, 200 ?m and 300 ?m below the surface, compared to the HV1 Vickers hardness measured in the bulk (HV1bulk), is at least 8.05-0.00350×HV1bulk.

Abstract: A method of redistributing the binder phase of a cemented carbide mining insert having a WC hard-phase component, optionally one or more further hard-phase components and a binder includes the steps of providing a green cemented carbide mining insert; applying at least one binder puller selected from a metal oxide or a metal carbonate to only at least one local area of the surface of the green cemented carbide insert; sintering the green carbide mining insert to form a sintered cemented carbide insert; and subjecting the sintered cemented carbide insert to dry tumbling process executed at an elevated temperature of or above 100° C., preferably at a temperature of or above 200° C., more preferably at a temperature of between 200° C. and 450° C.

Abstract: A method of treating a sintered mining insert including cemented carbide includes the step of subjecting the mining insert to a surface hardening process. The surface hardening process is executed at an elevated temperature of or above 100° C. A mining insert is also provided, wherein the HV1 Vickers hardness measurement increase (HV1%) from the surface region, measured as an average of HV1 measurements taken at 100 ?m, 200 ?m and 300 ?m below the surface, compared to the HV1 Vickers hardness measured in the bulk (HV1bulk), is at least 8.05-0.00350×HV1bulk.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of making a cemented carbide mining insert, a cemented carbide mining insert with having a chemical and hardness gradient and to the use thereof. The method includes the steps of providing a green mining insert compact formed from a first powder including a WC-based hard phase, optionally one or more further hard-phase components and a binder, applying a second powder including a grain refiner compound and/or a carbon based grain growth promoter to at least one portion of a surface of the green mining insert compac, and sintering the green mining insert compact to produce a cemented carbide mining insert, wherein the first powder additionally includes Cr, in an amount such that the mass ratio of Cr/binder is of 0.01-0.3.

Abstract: A method of redistributing the binder phase of a cemented carbide mining insert having one or more hard-phase components and a binder includes the steps of: a) providing a green cemented carbide mining insert; b) applying at least one binder puller selected from a metal oxide or a metal carbonate to the surface of the green cemented carbide mining insert; and c) sintering the green cemented carbide mining insert, the metal oxide or metal carbonate being only applied to at least one local area on the surface of the green cemented carbide mining insert. Moreover, a cemented carbide having a hardness gradient and the use thereof is also provided.

Abstract: A rock drill insert made of cemented carbide includes hard constituents of tungsten carbide (WC) in a binder phase of Ni—Cr, or Ni—Co—Cr, and a balance of WC and unavoidable impurities. The cemented carbide has a 3.5-18 wt % binder phase. The binder phase has >0 wt % Ni. The mass ratio Cr/(Ni+Co) is 0.02-0.19. A difference between the hardness at 0.3 mm depth at some point of the surface of the rock drill insert and the minimum hardness of the bulk of the rock drill insert is at least 30 HV3.

Abstract: A method for co-precipitating a therapeutic agent into a hydroxyapatite coated surface includes the steps of providing a surface and applying a hydroxyapatite seed layer on the surface. The hydroxyapatite seed layered surface is contacted with a solution including the therapeutic agent and a co-precipitated therapeutic agent, hydroxyapatite layer is formed on the coated surface to uniformly distribute the therapeutic agent in the layer. Further, an implant having sustained therapeutic agent delivery includes a base and an hydroxyapatite seed layer disposed on a surface of the base. A co-precipitated hydroxyapatite coating is disposed on the seed layer. The coating includes a therapeutic agent, wherein the therapeutic agent is provided in a solution of therapeutic agent.

Abstract: A method for loading a hydroxyapatite coated implant with a therapeutic agent including the steps of providing an implant and applying a hydroxyapatite coating on a surface of the implant. The hydroxyapatite coated implant is contacted with a solution including the therapeutic agent. The hydroxyapatite coated implant and solution is heated to temperature of about 60° C. to about 100° C. Pressure is applied to the hydroxyapatite coated implant and solution from about 2 bar to about 10 bar, to load the hydroxyapatite coated implant with the therapeutic agent. An implant made according to the method has sustained therapeutic agent delivery and includes a base and a biomimetic hydroxyapatite coating disposed on a surface thereof.

Abstract: A method for co-precipitating a therapeutic agent into a hydroxyapatite coated surface includes the steps of providing a surface and applying a hydroxyapatite seed layer on the surface. The hydroxyapatite seed layered surface is contacted with a solution including the therapeutic agent and a co-precipitated therapeutic agent, hydroxyapatite layer is formed on the coated surface to uniformly distribute the therapeutic agent in the layer. Further, an implant having sustained therapeutic agent delivery includes a base and an hydroxyapatite seed layer disposed on a surface of the base. A co-precipitated hydroxyapatite coating is disposed on the seed layer. The coating includes a therapeutic agent, wherein the therapeutic agent is provided in a solution of therapeutic agent.

Abstract: A method for loading a hydroxyapatite coated implant with a therapeutic agent including the steps of providing an implant and applying a hydroxyapatite coating on a surface of the implant. The hydroxyapatite coated implant is contacted with a solution including the therapeutic agent. The hydroxyapatite coated implant and solution is heated to temperature of about 60° C. to about 100° C. Pressure is applied to the hydroxyapatite coated implant and solution from about 2 bar to about 10 bar, to load the hydroxyapatite coated implant with the therapeutic agent. An implant made ac cording to the method has sustained therapeutic agent delivery and includes a base and a biomimetic hydroxyapatite coating disposed on a surface thereof.