Thermally stable diamond polycrystalline diamond constructions

A method for making a thermally stable polycrystalline diamond construction comprising:

• treating a polycrystalline diamond compact comprising a polycrystalline diamond body and a metallic substrate attached thereto, the polycrystalline diamond body comprising a plurality of intercrystalline bonded diamond grains and interstitial regions disposed therebetween, to remove a Group VIII metal from a first region of the diamond body while allowing the Group VIII metal to remain in a second region of the diamond body;
• wherein prior to the step of treating, protecting the metallic substrate and a portion of the diamond body from exposure to a treating agent used during the step of treating such that during the step of treating the first region is controlled so that it extends along a selected partial length of a side surface of the diamond body.

A method for making a thermally stable polycrystalline diamond construction comprising the steps of:

• forming a polycrystalline diamond compact comprising combining diamond with a Group VIII metal, placing the combination adjacent a substrate, and subjecting the combination and substrate to high-pressure/high temperature conditions, the polycrystalline diamond body comprising a plurality of intercrystalline bonded diamond grains and interstitial regions disposed therebetween;
• treating the polycrystalline diamond compact to remove the Group VIII metal from a first region of the diamond body while allowing the Group VIII metal to remain in a second region of the diamond body;
• wherein prior to the step of treating, protecting the metallic substrate and a portion of the diamond body from exposure to a treating agent used during the step of treating—such that during the step of treating the first region is controlled so that it extends a selected partial length along of a side surface of the diamond body.

A method for making a thermally stable polycrystalline diamond construction comprising a polycrystalline diamond compact having a polycrystalline diamond body and a metallic substrate attached thereto, the polycrystalline diamond body including a plurality of intercrystalline bonded diamond grains and interstitial regions disposed therebetween, the polycrystalline diamond body having a working surface and a side surface extending a length from the working surface toward the substrate, the method comprising:

• treating the compact to render a first region of the diamond body substantially free of Group VIII metal while allowing the Group VIII metal to remain untreated in a second region of the diamond body, wherein the first region extends a partial depth into the diamond body along a partial length of the side surface, the partial length being sufficient to increase the thermal conductivity of the diamond body,