Composite diamond compacts

A method for cutting comprising:

• cutting with a composite diamond compact,
• wherein the composite diamond compact comprises
• a diamond compact bonded to a cemented carbide substrate,
• the diamond compact comprising
• a polycrystalline bonded mass of diamond crystals present in an amount of at least 80 percent by volume of the diamond compact and
• a second phase consisting essentially of a nickel/cobalt alloy,
• the cemented carbide substrate comprising a mass of carbide particles bonded into a coherent form by means of a binder consisting essentially of a nickel/cobalt alloy;
• and
• wherein said cutting is carried out at a temperature in excess of 500° C. at a cutting edge of the composite diamond compact.