Polycrystalline diamond partially depleted of catalyzing material
AssigneeCamco International (UK) Limited
InventorsNigel Dennis Griffin, Peter Raymond Hughes
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AssigneeCamco International (UK) Limited
InventorsNigel Dennis Griffin, Peter Raymond Hughes
Estimating the term…
The present invention provides a superhard polycrystalline diamond or diamond-like element with greatly improved resistance to thermal degradation without loss of impact strength. Collectively called PCD elements, these elements are formed with a binder-catalyzing material in a high-temperature, high-pressure process. The PCD element has a plurality of partially bonded diamond or diamond-like crystals forming at least one continuous diamond matrix, and the interstices among the diamond crystals forming at least one continuous interstitial matrix containing a catalyzing material. The element has a working surface and a body, where a portion of the interstitial matrix in the body adjacent to the working surface is substantially free of the catalyzing material, and the remaining interstitial matrix contains the catalyzing material. This translates to higher wear resistance in cutting applications, higher heat transfer capacity in heat sink applications, and has advantages in numerous other applications including hollow dies, indentors, tool mandrels, and wear elements.
A polycrystalline diamond element comprising a body of bonded diamond crystals bonded to a substrate of less hard material, and a working surface on the body, wherein a first volume of the body remote from the working surface contains a catalyzing material, a second volume of the body adjacent to the working surface is substantially free of the catalyzing material, the catalyzing material remaining within the second volume of the body increases with distance from the working surface and adheres to surfaces of the diamond crystals, wherein the second volume extends to a depth of at least about 0.1 mm from the working surface.
A polycrystalline diamond element comprising a body of bonded diamond crystals bonded to a substrate of less hard material, and a working surface on the body, wherein a first volume of the body remote from the working surface contains a catalyzing material, a second volume of the body adjacent to the working surface is substantially free of the catalyzing material, wherein the second volume has a substantially higher volume density of the bonded diamond crystals than elsewhere in the body and extends to a depth of at least about 0.1 mm from the working surface.
A polycrystalline diamond element comprising a body of bonded diamond crystals bonded to a substrate of less hard material, a catalyzing material, and an interstitial matrix, a working surface on the body, the interstitial matrix in the body adjacent to the working surface is substantially free of the catalyzing material to a depth of at least about 0.1 mm from the working surface, and the remaining interstitial matrix contains the catalyzing material, wherein the catalyzing material remaining within the interstitial matrix in the body adjacent to the working surface continuously increases with distance from the working surface and adheres to surfaces of the diamond crystals.
A polycrystalline diamond element comprising a body of bonded diamond crystals bonded to a substrate of less hard material, a catalyzing material and an interstitial matrix;
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.