Method of Producing Ultra-Hard Abrasive Particles
OwnerMark Gregory Mundayinventor
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Abstract
The invention relates to a method for debindering and/or purifying granules or material suitable for use in High Pressure High Temperatures diamond or cubic boron nitride synthesis, the method comprising the steps of passing the granules or material through a zone having controlled atmosphere and temperature in a continuous manner, the zone having a maximum temperature within the zone of greater than approximately 600° C, wherein the time spent by each granule within the zone is less than 30 minutes.
Claims16
A method for debindering and/or purifying granules or material suitable for use in High Pressure High Temperatures diamond or cubic boron nitride synthesis, the method comprising the step of passing the granules or material through a zone having controlled atmosphere and temperature in a continuous manner, the zone having a maximum temperature within the zone of greater than approximately 600° C., wherein the time spent by the granules or material within the zone is less than 30 minutes.
A method as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the granules or material is/are stacked in shallow layers in a tray which is passed through the zone.
A method as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the zone has a temperature of greater than 700° C.
A method as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the zone has a temperature of less than 1300° C.
A method as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the time spent by each granule within the hot zone is less than 30 minutes
A method as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the rate of passage of the granules or material through the zone, the rate of flow of the stream of gas in the zone, the removal of the gaseous by-products, the temperature and the dimensions of the zone are controllable.
A method as claimed in any preceding claim wherein there is a net difference in the velocity of the stream of gas passed through the zone and the velocity of passage of the granules or material through the zone.
A method as claimed in any preceding claim wherein each granule experiences substantially the same conditions of temperature and gaseous environment.
A method as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the temperature of the zone is such that partial sintering of the granules or material occurs.
A method according to the invention, substantially as hereinbefore described or exemplified.
A granule according to the invention, substantially as hereinbefore described or exemplified.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.