Abstract: PDC is made using a solvent catalyst that has a melting point below that of the cobalt which is used to cement the tungsten carbide supporting substrate. The lower melting temperature allows control of the amount of catalyst that remains in the interstices after HPHT sintering since the process can be done without melting the cobalt in the substrate which would flow into and completely fill the pore volume of the diamond mass.

Abstract: A method for making a PDC cutting element for use in rock drilling containing sub-micron size diamond particles within the diamond body. Metals that do not readily dissolve carbon are employed to limit the dissolution and re-precipitation of fine diamond during the sintering of the diamond to the substrate.

Abstract: A composite body has a material layer formed from aggregated diamond nanorods (ADNRs); The ADNR material layer has a first surface and a substrate. The first surface of the diamond material layer and the substrate are bonded together under high pressure and high temperature.

Abstract: A method for making PDC with excellent abrasion resistance at high pressure in a single HPHT step without introducing high residual internal stress. In one aspect of the method, the diamond mass is subjected to an initial high pressure to compact the mass. The initial pressure is then lowered to a second pressure prior to the application of heat to the reaction cell. In another aspect, the diamond mass is subjected to an initial pressure to compact the mass, followed by raising the temperature to melt the sintering aid. The initial pressure is then lowered to a second pressure prior to lowering the temperature below the melting point of the sintering aid.

Abstract: A composite body has a material layer formed from aggregated diamond nanorods (ADNRs); The ADNR material layer has a first surface and a substrate. The first surface of the diamond material layer and the substrate are bonded together under high pressure and high temperature.

Abstract: PDC is made using a solvent catalyst that has a melting point below that of the cobalt which is used to cement the tungsten carbide supporting substrate. The lower melting temperature allows control of the amount of catalyst that remains in the interstices after HPHT sintering since the process can be done without melting the cobalt in the substrate which would flow into and completely fill the pore volume of the diamond mass.

Abstract: A method for making a PDC cutting element for use in rock drilling containing sub-micron size diamond particles within the diamond body. Metals that do not readily dissolve carbon are employed to limit the dissolution and re-precipitation of fine diamond during the sintering of the diamond to the substrate.

Abstract: A method for making PDC with excellent abrasion resistance at high pressure in a single HPHT step without introducing high residual internal stress. In one aspect of the method, the diamond mass is subjected to an initial high pressure to compact the mass. The initial pressure is then lowered to a second pressure prior to the application of heat to the reaction cell. In another aspect, the diamond mass is subjected to an initial pressure to compact the mass, followed by raising the temperature to melt the sintering aid. The initial pressure is then lowered to a second pressure prior to lowering the temperature below the melting point of the sintering aid.

Abstract: A PDC cutting element is described with a high abrasion thermally stable cutting edge that is supported by a diamond matrix which presents a non-planar wear surface to the rock interface. The non-planar wear surface of the supporting layer dramatically reduces the amount of heat generated at the PDC rock interface and provides rapid cutting with less weight on the bit for deep hole drilling applications.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of forming a composite body. The invention includes the steps of heating diamond crystals to a temperature about 1900° C. and simultaneously subjecting the diamond crystals to a pressure above about 40 k-bar, forming a diamond material layer having a first surface from the diamond crystals, providing a substrate, and bonding the first surface of the diamond material layer and the substrate under high pressure and high temperature. The composite body has a diamond material layer formed from diamond crystals. The diamond material layer has a first surface and a substrate. The first surface of the diamond material layer and the substrate are bonded together under high pressure and high temperature.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of forming a composite body including the steps of forming a diamond material layer having a first surface from diamond crystals having a nitrogen content of less than 100 ppm; providing a substrate; and bonding the first surface of the diamond material layer and the substrate under high pressure and high temperature. The composite body has a diamond material layer formed from diamond crystals having a nitrogen content of less than 100 ppm. The diamond material layer has a first surface and a substrate. The first surface of the diamond material layer and the substrate are bonded together under high pressure and high temperature.

Abstract: A polycrystalline diamond compact for use in cutting operations with a renewable sharp cutting edge, high abrasion resistance and high impact strength. The polycrystalline diamond is a composite composed of a matrix of coarse diamond interspersed with large agglomerated particles of ultra fine diamond. The agglomerated particles produce sharp cutting edges that are protected from impact forces by the overall uniform matrix of coarse diamond crystals. The self-sharpening cutter is highly resistant to spalling and catastrophic fracture.