Polycrystalline diamond compact (PDC) cutting element having multiple catalytic elements

A process for making a polycrystalline diamond compact, comprising:

• loading a volume of polycrystalline diamond material;
• loading a volume of substrate material;
• applying a high temperature—high pressure press;
• sintering said polycrystalline diamond material;
• defining a first volume of said sintered polycrystalline diamond material such that said defined first volume is remote from a working surface and wherein said first volume contains a metallic catalyzing material;
• and
• defining a second volume of said sintered polycrystalline diamond material adjacent to said working surface such that said defined second volume contains a non-metallic catalyzing material.

A process for making a polycrystalline diamond compact, comprising:

• loading a volume of polycrystalline diamond material;
• loading a volume of substrate material;
• applying a high temperature—high pressure press;
• sintering said polycrystalline diamond material;
• defining a first volume of said sintered polycrystalline diamond material such that said defined first volume is remote from a working surface and wherein said first volume contains a metallic catalyzing material;
• defining a second volume of said sintered polycrystalline diamond material adjacent to said working surface such that said defined second volume contains a non-metallic catalyzing material;
• and
• wherein said non-metallic catalyzing materials is inserted into interstitial spaces between bonded superhard particles in said second volume.

A process for making a polycrystalline diamond compact, comprising:

• loading a volume of polycrystalline diamond material;
• loading a volume of substrate material;
• defining a first volume of said polycrystalline diamond material such that said defined first volume is remote from a working surface and wherein said first volume is in physical contact with said volume of substrate material;
• and
• defining a second volume of said polycrystalline diamond material adjacent to said working surface such that said defined second volume contains non-metallic catalyzing material;
• applying a high temperature—high pressure press;
• sintering said polycrystalline diamond material in said first volume with a metallic catalyzing material;
• and
• sintering said polycrystalline diamond material in said second volume with a non-metallic catalyzing material.

A drill bit, comprising:

• a shank, for securing the drill bit to a drill string;
• and
• a bit body attached to said shank, said bit body further comprising:
• a leading face, with a plurality of blades extending therefrom, and a plurality of compacts mounted on said plurality of blades,
• wherein one or more of said plurality of compacts further comprise:
• a body having a working surface;
• a substrate volume;
• a first volume remote from said working surface attached to said substrate, wherein said first volume contains a metallic catalyzing material;
• and
• a second volume including said working surface, attached to said first volume, wherein said second volume contains a non-metallic catalyzing material.