# US 2008/0187479 A1 · Method of Producing Ultra-Hard Abrasive Particles

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 2008/0187479 A1
- Document ID: US20080187479A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 11/913,611
- Filed: 2006-05-04
- Published: 2008-08-07
- Earliest claimed: 2005-05-04
- Inventors: Mark Gregory Munday
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20080187479A1

## CPC

- B01J 3/002: {Component parts of these vessels not mentioned in B01J3/004, B01J3/006, B01J3/02 - B01J3/08; Measures taken in conjunction with the process to be carried out, e.g. safety measures}
- B01J 3/00: Processes of utilising sub-atmospheric or super-atmospheric pressure to effect chemical or physical change of matter; Apparatus therefor (pressure vessels for containing or storing compressed, liquefied or solidified gases F17C)
- B01J 3/065: {Presses for the formation of diamonds or boronitrides}
- B01J 6/004: {using hot gas streams in which the material is moved}
- C04B 35/52: based on carbon, e.g. graphite
- C04B 35/5831: based on cubic boron nitrides {or Wurtzitic boron nitrides, including crystal structure transformation of powder}
- C04B 35/62695: {Granulation or pelletising (devices for shaping artificial aggregates from ceramic mixtures B28B1/004)}
- C04B 35/638: Removal thereof
- B01J 2203/062: Diamond
- B01J 2203/0645: Boronitrides
- B01J 2203/0655: Diamond
- B01J 2203/066: Boronitrides
- B01J 2203/0685: Crystal sintering
- C04B 2235/405: Iron group metals
- C04B 2235/422: Carbon
- C04B 2235/427: Diamond
- C04B 2235/652: Reduction treatment (C04B2235/664 takes precedence)
- C04B 2235/6582: Hydrogen containing atmosphere
- C04B 2235/72: Products characterised by the absence or the low content of specific components, e.g. alkali metal free alumina ceramics
- B01J: CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
- C04B: LIME, MAGNESIA; SLAG; CEMENTS; COMPOSITIONS THEREOF, e.g. MORTARS, CONCRETE OR LIKE BUILDING MATERIALS; ARTIFICIAL STONE {(roofing granules E04D7/005)}; CERAMICS (devitrified glass-ceramics C03C10/00); REFRACTORIES; TREATMENT OF NATURAL STONE

## 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.

## Claims

### Claim 1

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.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein a stream of hydrogen-containing gas is passed continuously through the zone and over the granules or material.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

A method as claimed in claim 2 wherein the gas stream further comprises another gas such as nitrogen and/or an inert gas.

### Claim 4 (depends on 2, 3)

A method as claimed either one of claims 2 and 3 wherein the gas stream carries away the gaseous by-products of the debindering and/or purifying process.

### Claim 5

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.

### Claim 6

A method as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the zone has a temperature of greater than 700° C.

### Claim 7

A method as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the zone has a temperature of less than 1300° C.

### Claim 8

A method as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the time spent by each granule within the hot zone is less than 30 minutes

### Claim 9

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.

### Claim 10

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.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

A method as claimed in claim 10 wherein the stream of gas is counter to a direction of passage of the granules.

### Claim 12

A method as claimed in any preceding claim wherein each granule experiences substantially the same conditions of temperature and gaseous environment.

### Claim 13

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.

### Claim 14 (depends on 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)

A granule subjected to a method in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 13.

### Claim 15

A method according to the invention, substantially as hereinbefore described or exemplified.

### Claim 16

A granule according to the invention, substantially as hereinbefore described or exemplified.