Abstract: Provided are a luminescent diamond material and method of producing the same. The method may include the steps of providing a catalyst selected from one or more of the group of cobalt, iron, manganese and nickel; providing an enhancer selected from one or more of the group of boron, germanium, phosphorous, silicon and tin; providing graphite; blending the catalyst, enhancer and graphite to form a homogenized blend; and subjecting the homogenized blend to a high temperature, high pressure process to form a luminescent diamond material having a plurality of diamond particles having a plurality of defect centers, wherein the luminescent diamond material luminesces at a wavelength of about 700 nm to about 950 nm and energy of about 1.77 eV to about 1.30 eV.

Abstract: Polycrystalline cubic boron nitride compact include a body having sintered microcrystalline cubic boron nitride in a matrix of binder material. The microcrystalline cubic boron nitride particles have a size ranging from 2 microns to 50 microns. The particles of microcrystalline cubic boron nitride include a plurality of sub-grains, each sub-grain having a size ranging from 0.1 micron to 2 microns. The compacts are manufactured in a high pressure—high temperature (HPHT) sintering process. The compacts exhibit intergranular defect formation following introduction of wear. The sub-grains promote crack propagation based on micro-chipping rather than on a cleavage mechanism and, in sintered bodies, cracks propagate intergranularly rather than intragranularly, resulting in increased toughness and improved wear characteristics as compared to monocrystalline cubic boron nitride. The compacts are suitable for use as abrasive tools.

Abstract: Cutting elements having a substrate and a layer of superhard material sintered to the substrate are disclosed. The layer includes a working surface at a first surface. From the interface of the layer with the substrate, a reaction zone extends into the layer toward the working surface and a binder metal depletion zone extends into the substrate toward a base surface. The layer of superhard material has a composition including chromium or an alloy thereof. Also disclosed is an abrasive compact having a body with a composition including (i) a superhard material, (ii) a metal from a grain growth inhibitor or a metal from a metallic carbide other than WC, and (iii) an iron group binder metal. Cutting elements incorporating the abrasive compact, and drill bits incorporating abrasive compacts and cutting elements are also disclosed as well as methods of manufacture and methods of cutting material.

Abstract: Cutting elements having a substrate and a layer of superhard material sintered to the substrate are disclosed. The layer includes a working surface at a first surface. From the interface of the layer with the substrate, a reaction zone extends into the layer toward the working surface and a binder metal depletion zone extends into the substrate toward a base surface. The layer of superhard material has a composition including chromium or an alloy thereof. Also disclosed is an abrasive compact having a body with a composition including (i) a superhard material, (ii) a metal from a grain growth inhibitor or a metal from a metallic carbide other than WC, and (iii) an iron group binder metal. Cutting elements incorporating the abrasive compact, and drill bits incorporating abrasive compacts and cutting elements are also disclosed as well as methods of manufacture and methods of cutting material.

Abstract: A method for removing defects at high pressure and high temperature (HP/HT) or for relieving strain in a non-diamond crystal commences by providing a crystal, which contains defects, and a pressure medium. The crystal and the pressure medium are disposed in a high pressure cell and placed in a high pressure apparatus, for processing under reaction conditions of sufficiently high pressure and high temperature for a time adequate for one or more of removing defects or relieving strain in the single crystal.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for treating discolored natural diamond, especially Type IIa diamond and Type IaA/B diamond with nitrogen as predominantly B centers, for improving its color. The method includes preblocking and preshaping a discolored natural diamond to prevent its breakage in a high pressure/high temperature (HP/HT) press, placing said discolored natural diamond in a pressure transmitting medium which is consolidated into a pill. Next, the pill is placed into a HP/HT press at elevated pressure and elevated temperature within the graphite-stable or diamond-stable range of the carbon phase diagram for a time sufficient to improve the color of said diamond. Finally, the diamond is recovered from said press. Colorless and fancy colored diamonds can be made by this method.

Abstract: A method for changing the color of colored Type I natural diamonds includes placing a Type I natural diamond into a high pressure/high temperature (HP/HT) press at elevated pressure and elevated temperature for a time sufficient to change or improve the color of the diamond.

Abstract: A capsule for containing at least one reactant and a supercritical fluid in a substantially air-free environment under high pressure, high temperature processing conditions. The capsule includes a closed end, at least one wall adjoining the closed end and extending from the closed end; and a sealed end adjoining the at least one wall opposite the closed end. The at least one wall, closed end, and sealed end define a chamber therein for containing the reactant and a solvent that becomes a supercritical fluid at high temperatures and high pressures. The capsule is formed from a deformable material and is fluid impermeable and chemically inert with respect to the reactant and the supercritical fluid under processing conditions, which are generally above 5 kbar and 550° C. and, preferably, at pressures between 5 kbar and 80 kbar and temperatures between 550° C. and about 1500° C.