Compact of boron-doped diamond and method for making same
AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
InventorHarold P. Bovenkerk
Life of this patent
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Abstract
In one embodiment, a compact for tools, such as cutting, drilling, wire drawing and shaping tools, consists essentially of a porous mass of self-bonded, boron-doped diamond particles and a catalyst-solvent material. The method for making such a compact comprises the steps of bonding a mass of boron-doped diamond particles, aided by a catalyst-solvent material, under high temperatures and high pressures (HP/HT). In another embodiment, a composite compact, which is made in a similar manner to the first embodiment, consists essentially of (i) a layer of a porous mass of self-bonded, boron-doped diamond particles and catalyst-solvent material; and (ii) a substrate layer of cemented carbide bonded to the diamond layer.
Claims21
In a process for making a compact comprising:
- (a) placing within a charge assembly (i) a mass comprised of diamond particles and (ii) a source of diamond catalyst-solvent material;
- and
- (b) subjecting said charge assembly and the contents thereof to thermodynamically stable conditions for the diamond content thereof at temperatures in the range of 1300.degree. C. to 1600.degree. C. and pressures in excess of about 45 kilobars;
- the improvement which comprises using boron doped diamond particles in step (a).
A compact comprised of a mass of self-bonded diamond particles doped with boron atoms distributed substantially uniformly throughout each of said particles.
A compact comprising:
- (a) a porous mass of self-bonded, boron-doped diamond particles, said mass comprising at least 90% by volume diamond, said particles containing a boron-dopant level between about 0.01% to 0.5% of the doped particle weight;
- and
- (b) a catalyst-solvent material dispersed in the pores of said mass, said material selected from the group consisting of:
- (i) a catalytic metal, in elemental form, selected from the group consisting of Group VIII metals Cr, Mn, Ta;
- (ii) a mixture of alloyable metals of the catalytic metal(s) and non-catalytic metal(s);
- (iii) an alloy of at least two of said catalytic metals;
- and
- (iv) an alloy of the catalytic metal(s) and non-catalytic metal(s).
A compact comprised of:
- (a) a porous mass of self-bonded, boron-doped diamond particles;
- and
- (b) a catalyst-solvent material dispersed in the pores of said mass.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.