Cutting insert having unique cross section

A process for producing a blank adapted to be mounted on a substrate to form a cutting insert, comprising the steps of:

• preparing at least one crystal dispersion of super-hard crystals selected from at least one member of the group consisting of diamond and cubic boron nitride crystals and carbon black in a temporary binder;
• preparing a core dispersion of carbon fiber, carbon black and filler in a temporary binder;
• placing said at least one crystal dispersion and said core dispersion in a mold to respectively form at least one crystal dispersion layer and a core dispersion layer, said at least one crystal dispersion layer forming a rim about the periphery of said core dispersion layer on the upper surface thereof;
• compacting said crystal and core dispersion layers with a chamfered plunger applied to the lower surface of said core layer to form an intermediate composite having a recess at said lower surface, thereby compressing said dispersions to a substantially uniform density throughout said intermediate composite;
• heating said intermediate composite to allow for the removal of said temporary binder and the infiltration of liquefied silicon into said intermediate composite;
• sintering said intermediate composite to produce said blank;
• and
• bonding said blank onto a substrate by means of an adhesive disposed within said recess, whereby substantially no adhesive is visible.