Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to methods of fabricating leached polycrystalline diamond compacts (“PDCs”) in which a polycrystalline diamond table thereof is leached and resized to provide a leached region having a selected geometry. Creating a leached region having such a selected geometry may improve the performance of the PDC in various conditions, such as impact strength and/or thermal stability.

Abstract: A cutter head arrangement comprising a cutter head portion including a cutter head side wall to define a chamber (or cavity) surrounded by the cutter head side wall. A substantially circular rim portion extends from (a distal end of) the cutter head side wall, the rim portion defining a working, contact face of the cutter head portion. A recessed wall portion extends away from the rim portion inwardly into the chanber so as to be surrounded by the cutter head side wall, with the rim portion and/or the recessed wall portion being fitter with a plurality of cutter elemenets, to enable the cutter head portion to blind bore a pilot hole in use. The recessed wall portion that extends away from the rim portion inwardly into the chamber is a substantially conical body so as to define a conical recess.

Abstract: A cutting element comprises a supporting substrate, and a cutting table attached to an end of the supporting substrate. The cutting table comprises a first region and a second region. The first region comprising inter-bonded diamond particles and is substantially free of at least highly catalytic metallic compounds, one or more non-catalytic compounds within interstitial spaces between the inter-bonded diamond particles, and voids within interstitial spaces between the inter-bonded diamond particles. The second region comprising inter-bonded diamond particles, one or more non-catalytic compounds within interstitial spaces between the inter-bonded diamond particles, and one or more metallic phases within interstitial spaces between the inter-bonded diamond particles. The first region of the cutting table has a content of elemental metal of at least about 2.6 wt %. A method of forming a cutting element, and an earth-boring tool are also described.

Abstract: A cutting element includes a base and a cutting face at opposite axial ends, a side surface extending between the base and the cutting face, an edge formed between the cutting face and the side surface, an edge chamfer having a uniform size around the entire edge, and a geometric shape formed on the cutting face and defined by a concave boundary with respect to a longitudinal axis of the cutting element. The concave boundary includes multiple rounded vertices, each rounded vertex located proximate to the edge chamfer and forming a cutting tip and multiple geometric shape sides connecting the rounded vertices, wherein the geometric shape sides are concave with respect to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A cutting element may include a substrate; and an ultrahard layer on the substrate, the substrate and the ultrahard layer defining a non-planar working surface of the cutting element such that the ultrahard layer forms a cutting portion and the substrate is at least laterally adjacent to the ultrahard layer. Another cutting element includes a pointed region having a side surface extending from the pointed region outer perimeter to a peak. An ultrahard material body forms a portion of the pointed region including the peak, and a base region extends a depth from the pointed region outer perimeter. The ultrahard material body has a height to width aspect ratio with the height and width measured between two points of the body having the greatest distance apart along a dimension parallel with a longitudinal axis (i.e., height) along a dimension perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (i.e., width).

Abstract: Embodiments relate to polycrystalline diamond compacts (“PDCs”) including a polycrystalline diamond (“PCD”) table in which a metal-solvent catalyst is alloyed with at least one alloying element to improve thermal stability of the PCD table. In an embodiment, a PDC includes a substrate and a PCD table bonded to the substrate. The PCD table includes diamond grains defining interstitial regions. The PCD table includes an alloy comprising at least one Group VIII metal and at least one metallic alloying element that lowers a temperature at which melting of the at least one Group VIII metal begins. The alloy includes one or more solid solution phases comprising the at least one Group VIII metal and the at least one metallic alloying element and one or more intermediate compounds comprising the at least one Group VIII metal and the at least one metallic alloying element.

Abstract: Tools, for example, fixed cutter drill bits, may be manufactured to include hard composite portions having reinforcing particles dispersed in a continuous binder phase and auxiliary portions that are more machinable than the hard composite portions. For example, a tool may include a hard composite portion having a machinability rating 0.2 or less; and an auxiliary portion having a machinability rating of 0.6 or greater in contact with the hard composite portion. The boundary or interface between the hard composite portion and the auxiliary portion may be designed so that upon removal of the most or all of the auxiliary portion the resultant tool has a desired geometry without having to machine the hard composite portion.

Abstract: A drill bit having reinforced binder zones and method of forming same are disclosed. The method includes the steps of mixing reinforcing particles with a binder-reinforcing material, placing the mixture of reinforcing particles and binder-reinforcing material in a mold used in forming a body of the drill bit, placing a universal binder in the mold, and heating the mold. The binder-reinforcing material is infiltrated with the universal binder which thereby forms reinforced binder zones.

Abstract: A cutting element comprises a cylindrical substrate, a table bonded to the substrate, a working surface on the top of the table, and a plurality of dimples on the working surface. The table is made of super-abrasive material. The super-abrasive material can be PCD. Surface patterns of the table can reduce contact friction between the rock and the cutting element. Therefore, heat on the table can be reduced and thermal damage to the table is decreased. This results in improved cutting element service life.

Abstract: A method of making a cutting element includes subjecting a mixture of diamond particles and a carbonate material to high-pressure high-temperature sintering conditions to form a sintered carbonate-polycrystalline diamond body having a diamond matrix of diamond grains bonded together and carbonates residing in the interstitial regions between the diamond grains, the carbonate material having a non-uniform distribution throughout the diamond matrix. The carbonate-polycrystalline diamond body is subjected to a controlled temperature, a controlled pressure condition or a combination thereof, to effect an at least partial decomposition of the carbonate material.

Abstract: An electrochemical sensor comprising a boron doped diamond electrode formed of boron doped diamond material, an array of non-diamond carbon sites disposed on a sensing surface of the boron doped diamond electrode, electrochemically active non-diamond carbon surface groups bonded to the non-diamond carbon sites for generating a first redox peak at a first potential associated with dissolved oxygen and a second redox peak at a second potential which changes with pH, the first and second redox peaks being separated such that they do not overlap, an electrical controller configured to scan the boron doped diamond electrode over a potential range to generate at least said first redox peak, and a processor configured to give an electrochemical reading based on one or both of a position and an intensity of said first redox peak.

Abstract: An electrochemical sensor comprising: a boron doped diamond electrode formed of boron doped diamond material; an array of non-diamond carbon sites disposed on a sensing surface of the boron doped diamond electrode; electrochemically active surface groups bonded to the non-diamond carbon sites for generating a redox peak associated with a target species which reacts with the electrochemically active surface groups bonded to the non-diamond carbon sites when a solution containing the target species is disposed in contact with the sensing surface in use; an electrical controller configured to scan the boron doped diamond electrode over a potential range to generate said redox peak; and a processor configured to give an electrochemical reading based on one or both of a position and an intensity of said redox peak.

Abstract: A polycrystalline diamond (PCD) composite compact element has a body of polycrystalline diamond material and a cemented carbide substrate bonded to the body of polycrystalline material along an interface. The cemented carbide substrate has tungsten carbide particles bonded together by a binder material, the binder material including an alloy of Co, Ni and Cr. The tungsten carbide particles form at least 70 weight percent and at most 95 weight percent of the substrate and the binder material has between about 60 to 90 wt. % Ni, between about 10 to 40 wt. % Co, and about 0.25 to 1.0 wt % Cr3C2.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to methods of fabricating leached polycrystalline diamond compacts (“PDCs”) in which a polycrystalline diamond table thereof is leached and resized to provide a leached region having a selected geometry. Creating a leached region having such a selected geometry may improve the performance of the PDC in various conditions, such as impact strength and/or thermal stability.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a polycrystalline diamond compact (PDC) including a gradient interfacial layer between a thermally stable diamond (TSP) table and a base, such as a substrate or an earth-boring drill bit body. The gradient interfacial layer has a gradient of coefficients of thermal expansion between that of the diamond and the base. The disclosure also relates to methods of forming a gradient interfacial layer and a PDC containing such a layer.

Abstract: Polycrystalline diamond bodies having an annular region of diamond grains and a core region of diamond grains and methods of making the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, a polycrystalline diamond body includes an annular region of inter-bonded diamond grains having a first characteristic property and a core region of inter-bonded diamond grains bonded to the annular region and having a second characteristic property that differs from the first characteristic property. The annular region decreases in thickness from a perimeter surface of the polycrystalline diamond body towards a centerline axis.

Abstract: A metal matrix composite (MMC) tool includes a mesoscale-reinforced hard composite portion that comprises reinforcing particles and mesoscale reinforcing structures dispersed in a binder material. The mesoscale reinforcing structures are printed using at least one additive manufacturing technique and are larger than an average powder-size distribution of the reinforcing particles.

Abstract: An impregnated bit for forming a wellbore in an earth formation includes a bit body having a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis. A bit face is located at the distal end and extends between the longitudinal axis and a gage. The bit face comprises at least one blade extending radially outward from the longitudinal axis toward the gage and comprising an outer surface to engage formation material. The outer surface of the at least one blade may extend substantially linearly from a distalmost point of the bit face coincident with the longitudinal axis and at an acute angle relative to a line perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the bit body. The bit face may comprise a first fluid channel extending radially within and across the bit face and a second fluid channel extending radially within and across a portion of the bit face.

Abstract: A method of making a polycrystalline diamond compact includes forming multiple layers of premixed diamond particles and carbonate material, where the carbonate material includes an alkaline earth metal carbonate, and where each layer has a weight percent ratio of diamond to carbonate that is different from adjacent layers. The layers are subjected to high pressure high temperature conditions to form polycrystalline diamond.

Abstract: A method of forming a super hard PCD construction comprises forming an aggregated mass comprising a catalyst/solvent material for diamond, and one or more of W, Mo, Cr, V, Ti, Zr, Nb, Hf, Ta, Sc, and/or Y, forming a pre-sinter assembly comprising the aggregated mass and a plurality of diamond grains and treating the pre-sinter assembly at UHPT to form a PCD construction. Residual catalyst/solvent and one or more of W, Mo, Cr, V, Ti, Zr, Nb, Hf, Ta, Sc, and/or Y, in non-carbide form at least partially fill a plurality of interstitial regions in the PCD. There is also disclosed a superhard PCD construction comprising a body of PCD material formed of a mass of diamond grains and a non-superhard phase at least partially filling a plurality of interstitial regions, wherein the non-superhard phase comprises one or more of W, Mo, Cr, V, Ti, Zr, Nb, Hf, Ta, Sc, and/or Y, in the non-carbide form.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a polycrystalline diamond compact includes a substrate and a preformed polycrystalline diamond table bonded to the substrate. The table includes bonded diamond grains defining interstitial regions. The table includes an upper surface, a back surface bonded to the substrate, and at least one lateral surface extending therebetween. The table includes a first region extending inwardly from the upper surface and the lateral surface. The first region exhibits a first interstitial region concentration and includes at least one interstitial constituent disposed therein, which may be present in at least a residual amount and includes at least one metal carbonate and/or at least one metal oxide. The table includes a second bonding region adjacent to the substrate that extends inwardly from the back surface. The second bonding region exhibits a second interstitial region concentration that is greater than the first interstitial region concentration and includes a metallic infiltrant therein.

Abstract: A polycrystalline diamond compact includes a polycrystalline diamond material having a plurality of grains of diamond bonded to one another by inter-granular bonds and an intermetallic gamma prime (??) or ?-carbide phase disposed within interstitial spaces between the inter-bonded diamond grains. The ordered intermetallic gamma prime (??) or ?-carbide phase includes a Group VIII metal, aluminum, and a stabilizer. An earth-boring tool includes a bit body and a polycrystalline diamond compact secured to the bit body. A method of forming polycrystalline diamond includes subjecting diamond particles in the presence of a metal material comprising a Group VIII metal and aluminum to a pressure of at least 4.5 GPa and a temperature of at least 1,000° C. to form inter-granular bonds between adjacent diamond particles, cooling the diamond particles and the metal material to a temperature below 500° C., and forming an intermetallic gamma prime (??) or ?-carbide phase adjacent the diamond particles.

Abstract: Thermally stable diamond constructions comprise a diamond body having a plurality of bonded diamond crystals, a plurality of interstitial regions disposed among the crystals, and a substrate attached to the body. The body includes a working surface and a side surface extending away from the working surface to the substrate. The body comprises a first region adjacent the side surface that is substantially free of a catalyst material and that extends a partial depth into the diamond body. The first region can further extend to at least a portion of the working surface and a partial depth therefrom into the diamond body. The diamond body can be formed from natural diamond grains and/or a mixture of natural and synthetic diamond grains. A surface of the diamond body is treated to provide the first region, and before treatment is finished to an approximate final dimension.

Abstract: A cutting element for an earth-boring drill bit may include a thermally stable cutting table comprising a polycrystalline diamond material. The polycrystalline diamond material may consist essentially of a matrix of diamond particles bonded to one another and a silicon, silicon carbide, or silicon and silicon carbide material located within interstitial spaces among interbonded diamond particles of the matrix of diamond particles. The cutting table may be at least substantially free of Group VIII metal or alloy catalyst material. The cutting element may further include a substrate and an adhesion material between and bonded to the cutting table and the substrate. The adhesion material may include diamond particles bonded to one another and to the cutting table and the substrate after formation of the preformed cutting table.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to bearing assemblies configured to effectively provide heat dissipation for bearing elements, bearing apparatuses including such bearing assemblies, and methods of operating such bearing assemblies and apparatuses. In an embodiment, a bearing assembly includes a plurality of superhard bearing elements distributed about an axis. Each superhard bearing element of the plurality of superhard bearing elements has a superhard table including a superhard surface. The bearing assembly includes a support ring structure coupled to the plurality of superhard bearing elements. One or more of the superhard bearing elements includes a superhard table, which may improve heat transfer from such superhard bearing elements.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to methods of fabricating leached polycrystalline diamond compacts (“PDCs”) in which a polycrystalline diamond table thereof is leached and resized to provide a leached region having a selected geometry. Creating a leached region having such a selected geometry may improve the performance of the PDC in various conditions, such as impact strength and/or thermal stability.

Abstract: A grinding tool includes a substrate having a surface provided with a plurality of openings, and a plurality of grinding studs. Each of the grinding studs includes a stud portion and an abrasive particle attached to each other, the stud portions being respectively attached into the openings, and the abrasive particles protruding outward from the surface, each of the abrasive particles having a pattern cut across a tip thereof to define multiple apexes adjacent to one another. In some embodiments, methods of fabricating a grinding tool are also described.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to polycrystalline diamond compacts (“PDCs”) comprising a polycrystalline diamond (“PCD”) table including a thermally-stable region having at least one low-carbon-solubility material disposed interstitially between bonded diamond grains thereof, and methods of fabricating such PDCs. In an embodiment, a PDC includes a substrate, and a PCD table bonded to the substrate. The PCD table includes a plurality of diamond grains exhibiting diamond-to-diamond bonding therebetween and defining a plurality of interstitial regions. The PCD table further includes at least one low-carbon-solubility material disposed in at least a portion of the plurality of interstitial regions. The at least one low-carbon-solubility material exhibits a melting temperature of about 1300° C. or less and a bulk modulus at 20° C. of less than about 150 GPa.

Abstract: Polycrystalline compacts include a hard polycrystalline material comprising first and second regions. The first region comprises a first plurality of grains of hard material having a first average grain size, and a second plurality of grains of hard material having a second average grain size smaller than the first average grain size. The first region comprises catalyst material disposed in interstitial spaces between inter-bonded grains of hard material. Such interstitial spaces between grains of the hard material in the second region are at least substantially free of catalyst material. In some embodiments, the first region comprises a plurality of nanograins of the hard material. Cutting elements and earth-boring tools include such polycrystalline compacts.

Abstract: A method of making a polycrystalline diamond compact includes forming multiple layers of premised diamond particles and carbonate material, where the carbonate material includes an alkaline earth metal, carbonate, and where each layer has a weight percent ratio of diamond to carbonate that is different from adjacent layers. The layers are subjected to high pressure high temperature conditions to form polycrystalline diamond.

Abstract: A cutting element for an earth-boring tool includes a volume of superabrasive material having a cutting face and a shaped feature on the cutting face. The shaped feature may include at least one of a recess extending into the volume of superabrasive material from the cutting face and a protrusion extending outward from the cutting face. A first portion of the cutting face may have a first surface roughness, and a second portion of the cutting face may have a second surface roughness greater than the first surface roughness of the first portion of the cutting face. The volume of superabrasive material may be disposed on a substrate. Methods of forming cutting elements may include forming one or more shaped features in a cutting face of the cutting elements. Earth-boring tools may include such cutting elements.

Abstract: Polycrystalline compacts include non-catalytic nanoparticles in interstitial spaces between interbonded grains of hard material in a polycrystalline hard material. Cutting elements and earth-boring tools include such polycrystalline compacts. Methods of forming polycrystalline compacts include sintering hard particles and non-catalytic nanoparticles to faun a polycrystalline material. Methods of forming cutting elements include infiltrating interstitial spaces between interbonded grains of hard material in a polycrystalline material with a plurality of non-catalytic nanoparticles.

Abstract: A rotary drag bit includes a primary cutter row comprising at least one primary cutter mounted on a blade, at least some cutters in the primary cutter row having a portion of a cutting surface thereof covered by a portion of the blade. A backup cutter row comprising at least one cutter may also be included, and at least a portion of a cutting surface of at least some cutters in the backup cutter row is covered by a portion of the blade. Enhanced support for cutters is provided against impact loading.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a polycrystalline diamond compact includes a substrate and a preformed polycrystalline diamond table bonded to the substrate. The table includes bonded diamond grains defining interstitial regions. The table includes an upper surface, a back surface bonded to the substrate, and at least one lateral surface extending therebetween. The table includes a first region extending inwardly from the upper surface and the lateral surface. The first region exhibits a first interstitial region concentration and includes at least one interstitial constituent disposed therein, which may be present in at least a residual amount and includes at least one metal carbonate and/or at least one metal oxide. The table includes a second bonding region adjacent to the substrate that extends inwardly from the back surface. The second bonding region exhibits a second interstitial region concentration that is greater than the first interstitial region concentration and includes a metallic infiltrant therein.

Abstract: A method of re-processing used TSP material layers to form cutting elements, bits with such cutting elements mounted on their bodies, and bits having re-processed TSP material layers attached to their bodies, as well as such cutting elements and bits are provided. The method includes providing a used TSP material cutting element having a TSP material layer and substrate, or a bit having a TSP material layer attached to the bit, removing the used TSP material layer from the cutting element or bit, cutting the used TSP material layer to a new shape, if necessary, optionally re-leaching the used TSP layer and re-using the TSP material layer to form a cutting element, or in forming a bit body. The formed cutting element may be mounted on a bit body.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to thermally-stable polycrystalline diamond compacts (“PDCs”), and methods of fabricating such PDCs. In an embodiment, a PDC includes a substrate and a pre-sintered polycrystalline diamond (“PCD”) table bonded to the substrate. The pre-sintered PCD table includes bonded diamond grains defining a plurality of interstitial regions. The pre-sintered PCD table further including a first region remote from the substrate including a nonmetallic catalyst and a metallic catalyst each of which is disposed interstitially between the bonded diamond grains thereof, and a second region bonded to the substrate including a metallic-catalyst infiltrant disposed interstitially between the bonded diamond grains thereof. A nonplanar boundary is located between the first region and the second region.

Abstract: One object of the present invention is to provide a wire drawing die excellent in strength and wear resistance. The wire drawing die has a core formed using highly hard diamond polycrystalline body made substantially only of diamond and produced by directly converting a raw material composition including a non-diamond type carbon material into diamond and sintering the diamond at an ultra high pressure and an ultra high temperature without adding a sintering aid or a catalyst, the polycrystalline body having a mixed construction including fine-grained diamond crystals with a maximum grain size of less than or equal to 100 nm and an average grain size of less than or equal to 50 nm and plate-like or particulate coarse-grained diamond crystals with a minimum grain size of greater than or equal to 50 nm and a maximum grain size of less than or equal to 10000 nm.

Abstract: Diamond bonded constructions comprise a diamond body attached to a substrate, wherein the body includes a first diamond bonded volume, and a second diamond bonded volume attached thereto. The second volume may be provided in the form of a powder or a presintered mass prior to attachment, and the first volume may be provided in the form of presintered pieces when combined with the second volume. The first volume diamond volume content is greater than about 94 percent, and is the same or greater than that of the second volume. The first volume is sintered during a first HPHT process, and the second volume is sintered and/or attached to the first volume during a second HPHT process. The first HPHT pressure is greater than the second HPHT pressure. The substrate is not an infiltration substrate used to form the first diamond volume. The diamond body may be thermally stable.

Abstract: A cutting element for an earth-boring tool. The cutting element comprises a substrate base, and a volume of polycrystalline diamond material on an end of the substrate base. The volume of polycrystalline diamond material comprises a generally conical surface, an apex centered about a longitudinal axis extending through a center of the substrate base, a flat cutting surface extending from a first point at least substantially proximate the apex to a second point on the cutting element more proximate a lateral side surface of the substrate base. Another cutting element is disclosed, as are a method of manufacturing and a method of using such cutting elements.

Abstract: A polycrystalline diamond compact formed in an in-situ boron-doped process. The in-situ boron-doped process includes consolidating a mixture of diamond crystals and boron-containing alloy via liquid diffusion of boron into diamond crystals at a pressure greater than 5 Gpa and at a temperature greater than the melting temperature of the boron-containing alloy, typically less than about 1450° C.

Abstract: A polycrystalline diamond (PCD) composite compact element 100 comprising a substrate 130, a PCD structure 120 bonded to the substrate 130, and a bond material in the form of a bond layer 140 bonding the PCD structure 120 to the substrate 130; the PCD structure 120 being thermally stable and having a mean Young's modulus of at least about 800 GPa, the PCD structure 120 having an interstitial mean free path of at least about 0.05 microns and at most about 1.5 microns; the standard deviation of the mean free path being at least about 0.05 microns and at most about 1.5 microns. Embodiments of the PCD composite compact element may be for a tool for cutting, milling, grinding, drilling, earth boring, rock drilling or other abrasive applications, such as the cutting and machining of metal.

Abstract: Cutting elements comprise a multi-portion polycrystalline material. At least one portion of the multi-portion polycrystalline material comprises a higher volume of nanoparticles than at least another portion. Earth-boring tools comprise a body and at least one cutting element attached to the body. The at least one cutting element comprises a hard polycrystalline material. The hard polycrystalline material comprises a first portion comprising a first volume of nanoparticles. A second portion of the hard polycrystalline material comprises a second volume of nanoparticles. The first volume of nanoparticles differs from the second volume of nanoparticles. Methods of forming cutting elements for earth-boring tools comprise forming a volume of superabrasive material, including forming a first portion of the superabrasive material comprising a first volume of nanoparticles.

Abstract: A cutting element for a cutting tool. The cutting element may be at least partially made from a composite material including a carbide material, a binder material, and a plurality of diamond particles. The carbide material may be from 55 wt % to 97 wt % of a total weight of the composite material. The binder material may be from 3 wt % to 20 wt % of the total weight of the composite material. The plurality of diamond particles may be from 0.1% to 25% of the total weight of the composite material. The carbide material and the binder material may be combined and sintered together prior to being combined with the plurality of diamond particles, such that the carbide material and the binder material form a plurality of pellets having an average cross-sectional length from 10 ?m to 250 ?m.

Abstract: A cutting element for use in a drill bit for drilling subterranean formations includes a cutting body having a substrate including a rear surface, an upper surface, and a peripheral side surface extending between the rear surface and the upper surface, and a superabrasive layer overlying the upper surface of the substrate. The cutting element further includes a sleeve surrounding the peripheral side surface of the cutting body and comprising a superabrasive layer bonded to an external surface of the sleeve.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a polycrystalline diamond compact (“PDC”) includes a substrate and a polycrystalline diamond (“PCD”) table bonded to the substrate. The PCD table includes an upper surface. The PCD table includes a first PCD region including bonded-together diamond grains and exhibits a first diamond density. At least a portion of the first PCD region extending inwardly from the working surface is substantially free of metal-solvent catalyst. The PCD table includes an intermediate second PCD region bonded to the substrate, which is disposed between the first PCD region and the substrate. The second PCD region includes bonded-together diamond grains defining interstitial regions, with at least a portion of the interstitial regions including metal-solvent catalyst disposed therein. The second PCD region exhibits a second diamond density that is greater than that of the first diamond density of the first PCD region.

Abstract: A method of making a cutting element includes subjecting a mixture of diamond particles and a carbonate material to high-pressure high-temperature sintering conditions to form a sintered carbonate-polycrystalline diamond body having a diamond matrix of diamond grains bonded together and carbonates residing in the interstitial regions between the diamond grains, the carbonate material having a non-uniform distribution throughout the diamond matrix. The carbonate-polycrystalline diamond body is subjected to a controlled temperature, a controlled pressure condition or a combination thereof, to effect an at least partial decomposition of the carbonate material.

Abstract: A method of making a body of polycrystalline superhard material comprising placing an aggregated mass of grains of superhard material into a canister, placing a ceramic layer either in direct contact with the aggregated mass of grains of superhard material or in indirect contact therewith, the ceramic layer being spaced from the grains by an interlayer of material when present, the ceramic layer having a surface with surface topology, the surface topology imprinting a pattern in the aggregated mass of grains of superhard material complementary to the surface topology, the ceramic material and the material of the interlayer being such that they do not react chemically with the superhard material and/or a sinter catalyst material for the grains of superhard material. The aggregated mass of grains of superhard material and ceramic layer are subjected to a pressure of greater than 5.

Abstract: Methods for at least partially relieving stress within a polycrystalline diamond (“PCD”) table of a polycrystalline diamond compact (“PDC”) include partitioning the substrate of the PDC, the PCD table of the PDC, or both. Partitioning may be achieved through grinding, machining, laser cutting, electro-discharge machining, or combinations thereof. PDC embodiments may include at least one stress relieving partition.

Abstract: A sintered cutting element including a superabrasive layer supported on a substrate. The superabrasive layer includes superabrasive material and secondary phase, and the substrate includes a binder phase. The sintered cutting element is formed by a high temperature high pressure sintering process in which separate source elements melt and sweep first through the superabrasive layer, and then to the substrate to form the secondary phase and binder phase. The superabrasive layer is substantially free of or free of eta-phase, Co3W3C. Further, the portion of the substrate nearest the interface between the superabrasive layer and the substrate has equal or more binder phase than portions of the substrate further from the interface. In certain embodiments, the superabrasive material includes polycrystalline diamond, and the substrate includes cobalt tungsten carbide.

Abstract: PCD materials comprise a diamond body having bonded diamond crystals and interstitial regions disposed among the crystals. The diamond body is formed from diamond grains and a catalyst material at high pressure/high temperature conditions. The diamond grains have an average particle size of about 0.03 mm or greater. At least a portion of the diamond body has a high diamond volume content of greater than about 93 percent by volume. The entire diamond body can comprise high volume content diamond or a region of the diamond body can comprise the high volume content diamond. The diamond body includes a working surface, a first region substantially free of the catalyst material, and a second region that includes the catalyst material. At least a portion of the first region extends from the working surface to depth of from about 0.01 to about 0.1 mm.