Method of processing a body of polycrystalline diamond material

A method for leaching a polycrystalline diamond (PCD) cutter element having a non-diamond phase comprising a solvent catalyst material, the method comprising:

• (a) providing a leaching receptacle;
• (b) introducing a volume of liquid acid leaching mixture into the leaching receptacle;
• (c) attaching the PCD cutter element to a fixture;
• (d) applying a seal member around the PCD cutter element;
• (d) locating the fixture with the PCD cutter element attached in the leaching receptacle to suspend the PCD cutter element above the acid leaching mixture;
• (e) sealing the leaching receptacle to provide a closed system;
• (f) elevating the temperature of the liquid acid leaching mixture to above ambient conditions to transition at least some of the liquid acid leaching mixture to acid vapour(s);
• and
• (g) exposing the PCD cutter element to the acid vapour(s) to leach the PCD cutter element.