Abstract: A method of manufacturing encapsulated superhard material includes the steps of providing a source of superhard material, providing a mixture comprising an appropriate binder, a solvent or fluid medium and the intended coating or encapsulating layer, combining the superhard material and the mixture in a shovel rotor, the shovel rotor having a vessel including a rotor, the vessel adapted to receive a stream of gas. The rotor is rotated at an appropriate velocity such that the superhard material is encapsulated by the mixture.

Abstract: A process for the formation of pellets containing an ultra hard (superhard) core coated with an encapsulating material includes utilizing a shovel rotor in combination with a rotating pan and/or a fluidized bed apparatus in sequence. The process includes providing a source of superhard material, providing a mixture comprising a binder, a solvent or fluid medium and the intended coating or encapsulating layer, and combining the superhard material and the mixture in a shovel rotor. The rotor of the shovel rotor is rotated at a velocity such that the superhard material is encapsulated by the mixture to form pellets. The pellets are introduced into a rotating vessel or fluidized bed granulating apparatus, and the pellets are contacted with encapsulating material to form pellets of greater mass than the pellets introduced into the vessel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of manufacturing encapsulated superhard material, the method comprising the steps of providing a source of superhard material, providing a mixture comprising an appropriate binder, a solvent or fluid medium and the intended coating or encapsulating layer, combining the superhard material and the mixture in a shovel rotor comprising a vessel including a rotor, the vessel adapted to receive a stream of gas; and rotating the rotor at an appropriate velocity such that the superhard material is encapsulated by the mixture. The invention further relates to an encapsulated superhard material produced by a method as hereinbefore described.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the formation of pellets containing an ultra hard (superhard) core coated with an encapsulating material, the process including the process including the steps of utilising a shovel rotor in combination with a rotating pan and/or a fluidised bed apparatus in sequence. The invention teaches the steps of providing a source of superhard material, providing a mixture comprising an appropriate binder, a solvent or fluid medium and the intended coating or encapsulating layer, combining the superhard material and the mixture in a shovel rotor, rotating the rotor at an appropriate velocity such that the superhard material is encapsulated by the mixture to form pellets, introducing the pellets into a rotating vessel or fluidised bed granulating apparatus, and contacting the pellets with encapsulating material to form pellets of greater mass than the pellets introduced into the vessel.