Abstract: A CBN compact comprises CBN and a matrix phase incorporating a secondary hard phase selected from TiCN, TiC, TiN and mixtures and solid solutions thereof and a maximum amount of titanium diboride where the XRD peak height of the (101) titanium diboride peak (after background correction) is less than 12% of the peak height of the (111) CBN peak.

Abstract: A structure with a higher surface area than the area occupied by the structure has a number of pillars (2), the pillars being hollow having an opening (6) extending into the pillar. An intermediate layer is provided on the surface of the pillar and an electrode fills the spaces between the pillars (2). The structure has an enhanced structural stability reducing potential damage especially during manufacture. The structure may be used for capacitors or batteries, for example.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a powdered composition or starting material used in producing a CBN compact which comprises CBN, a secondary hard phase and a binder phase includes two steps of attrition milling. First, the attrition milling of the secondary hard phase and the binder phase. Second, adding CBN particles to the fine particle mixture of the first attrition milling and then attrition milling this mixture.

Abstract: The invention is for a cubic nitride compact comprising a polycrystalline mass of cubic boron nitride particles, present in an amount of at least 70 percent by volume and a binder phase, which is metallic in character. The invention extends to a compact in which the binder phase is preferably superalloy in character.

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 method of making polycrystalline CBN compacts, high in CBN content, is provided. The method includes making a powdered composition by subjecting a mixture of CBN, present in an amount of at least 80 volume percent of the mixture, and a powdered binder phase to attrition milling. This powdered mixture is subjected to conditions of elevated temperature and pressure suitable to produce CBN compacts.

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 composition for use in producing a CBN compact comprising about 45 to about 75 volume % CBN, where the CBN is comprised of particles of more than one average particle size, preferably bimodal; a secondary hard phase including a compound containing a nitride, carbonitride or carbide of a Group 4, 5 or 6 transition metal or a mixture or solid solution thereof, and a binder phase.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a powdered composition or starting material used in producing a CBN compact which comprises CBN, a secondary hard phase and a binder phase includes two steps of attrition milling. First, the attrition milling of the secondary hard phase and the binder phase. Second, adding CBN particles to the fine particle mixture of the first attrition milling and then attrition milling this mixture.

Abstract: A CBN compact comprises CBN and a matrix phase incorporating a secondary hard phase selected from TiCN, TiC, TiN and mixtures and solid solutions thereof and a maximum amount of titanium diboride where the XRD peak height of the (101) titanium diboride peak (after background correction) is less than 12% of the peak height of the (111) CBN peak.

Abstract: A polycrystalline cubic boron nitride compact which comprises greater than 75 volume % and not greater than 90 volume % cubic boron nitride particles, the cubic boron nitride particles comprising particles of at least two average particle sizes, and a binder phase constituting the balance of the compact and comprising at least one titanium compound selected from titanium boride, titanium nitride, titanium carbide and titanium carbonitride and at least one aluminium compound selected from aluminium oxide, aluminium boride, aluminium nitride, aluminium carbide and aluminium carbonitride.

Abstract: The cubic boron nitride compact contains a secondary hard phase, which comprises at least one aluminium magnesium boride compound, such as AlMgB14. The aluminium magnesium boride present in the secondary hard phase may consist of AlMgB14 only or a mixture of AlMgB14 and one or more other aluminium magnesium boride compounds. The aluminium magnesium boride compound or compounds may also be doped with elements such as silicon, titanium, molybdenum, tungsten, nickel and iron, or borides, carbides and nitrides thereof.

Abstract: A method of producing a tool insert which comprises a central metal portion having edge regions of superabrasive material bonded thereto and presenting cutting edges or points for the tool insert is disclosed. A body (50) having major surfaces on each of opposite sides thereof, each having spaced strips (64) of superabrasive material, typically abrasive compact such as PCBN or PCD, for example, separated by a metal region or regions, such as cemented carbide, is provided. Each superabrasive strip of one major surface is arranged in register with a superabrasive strip of the opposite major surface. Alternatively, each superabrasive strip extends from one major surface to the opposite major surface. The body is severed from one major surface to the opposite major surface along at least two sets of planes intersecting at or in the respective superabrasive strips to produce the tool insert.

Abstract: A method of producing a tool insert is disclosed. A body (50) of a superabrasive material having major surfaces on each of opposite sides thereof is provided. It is typically an abrasive compact disc such as a PCBN or a PCD disc, for example. An array of spaced cores (58) filled with hard metal, such as cemented carbide, for example, extends from one major surface to the opposite major surface. The body is severed from one major surface to the opposite major surface along intersecting, transverse lines (68) around the respective hard metal cores to produce the tool insert. The body may include an interlayer (56) of hard metal intermediate the opposite major surfaces, preferably the same hard metal as the cores, such that the cores are integrally formed with the interlayer.

Abstract: A method of producing a tool insert which comprises a central metal portion having edge regions of superabrasive material bonded thereto and presenting cutting edges or points for the tool insert is disclosed. A body (50) having major surfaces on each of opposite sides thereof, each having spaced strips (64) of superabrasive material, typically abrasive compact such as PCBN or PCD, for example, separated by a metal region or regions, such as cemented carbide, is provided. Each superabrasive strip of one major surface is arranged in register with a superabrasive strip of the opposite major surface. Alternatively, each superabrasive strip extends from one major surface to the opposite major surface. The body is severed from one major surface to the opposite major surface along at least two sets of planes intersecting at or in the respective superabrasive strips to produce the tool insert.

Abstract: A method of producing a tool insert is disclosed. A body (50) of a superabrasive material having major surfaces on each of opposite sides thereof is provided. It is typically an abrasive compact disc such as a PCBN or a PCD disc, for example. An array of spaced cores (58) filled with hard metal, such as cemented carbide, for example, extends from one major surface to the opposite major surface. The body is severed from one major surface to the opposite major surface along intersecting, transverse lines (68) around the respective hard metal cores to produce the tool insert. The body may include an interlayer (56) of hard metal intermediate the opposite major surfaces, preferably the same hard metal as the cores, such that the cores are integrally formed with the interlayer.

Abstract: A method of producing a tool insert having superabrasive cutting points or edges is disclosed. A body (10) of a hard metal having major surfaces (12, 14) on each of opposite sides thereof, such as a cemented carbide disc, is provided. Each major surface of the body has an array of pockets (12) filled with a superabrasive material, typically an abrasive compact such as PCBN or PCD, for example. A pocket of one major surface is arranged to be in register with a pocket of the opposite major surface. The body is severed from one major surface to the opposite major surface along at least two sets of planes intersecting at or in respective superabrasive filled pockets to produce the tool insert. The severing of the body is carried out in such a manner as to expose the superabrasive material to form a cutting tip or edge in the tool insert.

Abstract: A method of producing a tool insert which comprises a central metal portion having edge regions of superabrasive material bonded thereto and presenting cutting edges or points for the tool insert is disclosed. A body (50) having major surfaces on each of opposite sides thereof, each having spaced strips (64) of superabrasive material, typically abrasive compact such as PCBN or PCD, for example, separated by a metal region or regions, such as cemented carbide, is provided. Each superabrasive strip of one major surface is arranged in register with a superabrasive strip of the opposite major surface. Alternatively, each superabrasive strip extends from one major surface to the opposite major surface. The body is severed from one major surface to the opposite major surface along at least two sets of planes intersecting at or in the respective superabrasive strips to produce the tool insert.