A method for 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 having a first cavity therein and a second cavity therein, the first cavity extending from a first end of the leaching receptacle to a first open end of the second cavity, the second cavity extending from the first open end to a second end and being arranged to receive a volume of liquid acid leaching mixture;
• (b) introducing a volume of liquid acid leaching mixture into the second cavity of the leaching receptacle;
• (c) attaching the PCD cutter element to a fixture, the fixture being adapted to hold the PCD cutter element to be leached;
• (d) positioning a seal member around a portion of the PCD cutter element to be leached;
• and locating the seal member in a recess in the fixture;
• (e) locating the PCD cutter element in the second cavity by passing the PCD cutter element attached to the fixture through the first end of the leaching receptacle and through the first cavity;
• (f) connecting the fixture to the leaching receptacle, the step of connecting comprising compressing the seal member against and/or between the cutter and the leaching receptacle to form a closed system with the PCD cutter to be leached in the fixture forming a lid;
• and
• (g) elevating the temperature of the liquid acid leaching mixture to above ambient conditions to leach at least a portion of the PCD cutter element.