Methods for forming polycrystalline materials including providing material with superabrasive grains prior to hpht processing, and polycrystalline compacts and cutting elements formed by such methods

A method of forming a cutting element comprising a polycrystalline compact for an earth-boring tool, comprising:

• depositing material on surfaces of grains of superabrasive material in a chemical vapor infiltration process and forming a three-dimensional solid porous body comprising the grains of superabrasive material and the material on the surfaces of the grains of superabrasive material;
• infiltrating the three-dimensional solid porous body with a molten metal alloy at a temperature of about 1200° C. or less and solidifying the molten metal alloy to provide a first metal alloy within pores of the three-dimensional solid porous body;
• removing at least a portion of the first metal alloy from the pores of the three-dimensional solid porous body;
• subjecting the three-dimensional solid porous body to a high pressure and high temperature process to form inter-granular bonds between the grains of superabrasive material after removing the at least a portion of the first metal alloy from the pores of the three-dimensional solid porous body, subjecting the three-dimensional solid porous body to a high pressure and high temperature process comprising providing a second metal alloy within interstitial spaces between inter-bonded grains of superabrasive material.

An at least partially formed cutting element for an earth-boring tool, comprising:

• a three-dimensional solid body having a porous structure, comprising:
• grains of superabrasive material;
• and
• material deposited on surfaces of the grains of superabrasive material;
• and
• an alloy having a melting point of about 1200° C. or less disposed within at least some pores of the three-dimensional porous body.