Abstract:
The invention relates to a method for debindering and/or purifying granules or material suitable for use in High Pressure High Temperatures diamond or cubic boron nitride synthesis, the method comprising the steps of passing the granules or material through a zone having controlled atmosphere and temperature in a continuous manner, the zone having a maximum temperature within the zone of greater than approximately 600° C, wherein the time spent by each granule within the zone is less than 30 minutes.
Abstract:
An improved method for synthesizing superabrasive particles provides high quality industrial superabrasive particles with high yield and a narrow size distribution. The synthesis method can include forming a growth precursor of a substantially homogeneous mixture of raw material and catalyst material or layers of raw material and metal catalyst. The growth precursor can have a layer of adhesive over at least a portion thereof. A plurality of crystalline seeds can be placed in a predetermined pattern on the layer of adhesive. The growth precursor can be maintained at a temperature and pressure at which the superabrasive crystal is thermodynamically stable for a time sufficient for a desired degree of growth. Advantageously, the patterned placement of crystalline seeds and disclosed processes allow for production of various morphologies of synthetic diamonds, including octahedral and cubic diamonds, and improved growth conditions generally. As a result, the grown superabrasive particles typically have a high yield of high quality particles and a narrow distribution of particle sizes.
Abstract:
The present invention describes a novel metal bond superabrasive tool that contains a superabrasive such as diamond or CBN grits distributed in a predetermined or an uniform pattern. Such a pattern is produced by fabricating plurality layers of metal matrix with superabrasive grits distributed therein in a predetermined pattern and concentration and subsequently assembling and consolidating the layers into a tool segment. Superabrasive particles may be incorporated during the process of making these layers, or they may be planted afterwards into these layers that contains the metal matrix powder. In the latter case, the planting may be guided by a template with apertures laid in a specific pattern.
Abstract:
A method of bonding a particle material to near theoretical density, includes placing a particle material in a die. In the first stage, a pulsed current of about 1 to 20,000 amps., is applied to the particle material for a predetermined time period, and substantially simultaneously therewith, a shear force of about 5-50 MPa is applied. In the second stage, an axial pressure of about less than 1 to 2,000 MPa is applied to the particle material for a predetermined time period, and substantially simultaneously therewith, a steady current of about 1 to 20,000 amps. is applied. The method can be used to bond metallic, ceramic, intermetallic and composite materials to near-net shape, directly from precursors or elemental particle material without the need for synthesizing the material. The method may also be applied to perform combustion synthesis of a reactive material, followed by consolidation or joining to near-net shaped articles or parts. The method may further be applied to repair a damaged or worn substrate or part, coat a particle onto a substrate, and grow single crystals of a particle material.
Abstract:
A polycrystalline diamond compact for use in cutting operations that require improved impact strength and non-uniform edge wear. The compact includes a substrate, with multiple, laterally spaced, abrasive diamond particle areas segregated by different particle sizes bonded to the substrate. The polycrystalline diamond areas formed of finer size diamond particles provide higher abrasion resistance wear at a slower rate thus producing a non-linear cutting, edge to the work zone. The areas of different average size diamond particles, in one embodiment, are arranged in concentric rings with each ring of a different particle size. Alternating rings may be formed of uniform size diamond a particles. The areas also may be in the form of spaced grooves inlaid from the end surface of polycrystalline diamond layers. The polycrystalline diamond layer may also have a non-planar end with the discrete areas radially spaced across the layer. Alternately, a plurality of depressions are formed in a working surface of the substrate, with polycrystalline diamond filling all of the depressions. At least one of the depressions is filled with polycrystalline diamond having a different average particle size than that of the diamond filling the other depression. The depressions are thus separated by barriers formed of a harder material.
Abstract:
The present invention describes a novel abrasive tool that contains abrasive particles distributed in a predetermined pattern. Such a pattern is produced by fabricating two-dimensional slices and subsequently assembling and consolidating them into a three-dimensional tool. Abrasive particles 20 may be incorporated during the process of making these two-dimensional slices, or they may be planted afterwards into these slices 100 that contains matrix powder. In the latter case, the planting may be guided by a template 110 with apertures 114 laid in a specific pattern.
Abstract:
Metal carbide supported polycrystalline diamond (PCD) compacts having improved abrasion/impact resistance properties and a method for making the same under high temperature/high pressure (HT/HP) processing conditions. The PCD compact is characterized as having a mixture of submicron sized diamond particles and large sized diamond particles.
Abstract:
A metal-matrix diamond or cubic boron nitride composite and method of making the same are disclosed. The metal-matrix/diamond composite includes grains of diamond uniformly distributed in a metal matrix. Alternatively, grains of cubic boron nitride may be used. Suitable metals for the metal matrix material may include nickel, cobalt, iron, and mixtures or alloys thereof. Other transition metals also may be used. The metal-matrix/diamond or metal-matrix/cubic boron nitride composite has high fracture toughness due to its fine microstructure. Such a metal-matrix/diamond or metal-matrix/cubic boron nitride composite is suitable for use in blanks or cutting elements for cutting tools, drill bits, dressing tools, and wear parts. It also may be used to make wire drawing dies.
Abstract:
According to the present invention there is provided a wear resistant material consisting of 3-60% by volume of diamond in a matrix containing at least one hard constituent consisting of carbide, nitride and/or carbonitride of one metal of group IV, V and VI in the Periodic Table and a binder phase based upon Co, Ni and/or Fe at which the diamonds are surrounded by a layer >1 .mu.m of refractory metals, carbides, nitrides, oxides, borides or silicides. In this way, a dissolution of diamonds during the sintering is prevented by a special combination of layer material and sintering compaction process.
Abstract:
A cutting tool blank formed of material having a composition comprising of 0.1 to 20 wt % of BaCO.sub.3 and/or MgCO.sub.3, and/or 0.05 to 10 wt % of CaMg(CO.sub.3).sub.2 or CaCO3, the balance being preferably substantially diamond forming a matrix is heated and maintained at a temperature of 800.degree. to 1400.degree. C. in a vacuum to change, by chemical reaction, the above BaCO.sub.3 and/or MgCO.sub.3, and/or CaMg(CO.sub.3).sub.2 or CaCO.sub.3 into 0.05 to 13% of BaO and/or MgO and/or 0.02 to 5% of CaO, and to form pores. In this manner, a cutting tool formed of a diamond-based ultra-high-temperature-sintered material having a structure in which BaO, MgO and/or CaO are distributed finely and uniformly in a diamond matrix is obtained.