Abstract:
Thermally stable diamond constructions comprise a diamond body having a plurality of bonded diamond crystals, a plurality of interstitial regions disposed among the crystals, and a substrate attached to the body. The body includes a working surface and a side surface extending away from the working surface to the substrate. The body comprises a first region adjacent the side surface that is substantially free of a catalyst material and that extends a partial depth into the diamond body. The first region can further extend to at least a portion of the working surface and a partial depth therefrom into the diamond body. The diamond body can be formed from natural diamond grains and/or a mixture of natural and synthetic diamond grains. A surface of the diamond body is treated to provide the first region, and before treatment is finished to an approximate final dimension.
Abstract:
A system for producing thermally stable cutting elements may include a heat source, a pressure vessel, at least one polycrystalline diamond body attached to a carbide substrate, and a leaching agent is disclosed, wherein the heat source includes a container comprising at least one receiving mechanism and at least one retention mechanism, and wherein the carbide substrate is disposed in the at least one receiving mechanism of the pressure vessel, and wherein the leaching agent is disposed in the pressure vessel, and wherein the leaching agent removes the catalyzing material from the interstitial spaces interposed between the diamond particles of the at least one polycrystalline diamond body, and wherein the at least one retention mechanism of the pressure vessel seals at least a portion of the carbide substrate into the at least one receiving mechanism and prevents the leaching agent from contacting at least a portion of the carbide substrate.
Abstract:
A cutting element is provided, including a substrate and an ultra-hard material layer formed over the substrate. At one end of the substrate is an interface surface that interfaces with the ultra-hard material layer to bond the layer to the substrate. The interface surface includes a first or outer annular section that extends to the peripheral edge of the substrate, and a second or inner section that is radially inside the first section. The interface surface includes several spaced-apart projections arranged in an annular row. In one aspect, each projection has an upper surface that defines a groove bisecting the projection. In another aspect, the interface surface may include a bridge coupling adjacent projections.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a cutting element having a cylindrical body having a canted end face on which is formed an ultra hard material layer and to a bit incorporating such cutting element. One or a plurality of transition layers may be provided between the ultra hard material layer and the cutting element body.
Abstract:
A cutting element is provided including a substrate having a periphery and an interface surface. An ultra hard material layer is formed over the substrate and interfaces with the interface surface. The interface surface also includes a plurality of spaced apart projections formed inwardly and spaced apart from the periphery and arranged around an annular path, such that each projection includes a convex upper surface defining the projection as viewed in plan view. Each upper surface continuously and smoothly curves in the same direction when viewed along a plane through a diameter of the substrate. Bits incorporating such cutting elements are also provided.
Abstract:
Enhanced inserts are formed having a cylindrical grip and a protrusion extending from the grip. An ultra hard material layer is bonded on top of the protrusion. The inserts are mounted on a rock bit and contact the earth formations off center. The ultra hard material layer is thickest at a critical zone which encompasses a major portion of the region of contact between the insert and the earth formation. Transition layers may also be formed between the ultra hard material layer and the protrusion so as to reduce the residual stresses formed on the interface between the ultra hard material and the protrusion.
Abstract:
A cutting element having a cutting table made from sheet segments of commingled ultra hard material and binder. Each segment may be made from a finer or a coarser grade of ultra hard material or from different types of ultra hard material. The segments are aligned side by side over a cutting face of the cutting element to form the cutting table. The material grade and/or the material type of each segment may alternate across the cutting face.
Abstract:
Enhanced inserts are formed having a cylindrical grip and a protrusion extending from the grip. An ultra hard material layer is bonded on top of the protrusion. The inserts are mounted on a rock bit and contact the earth formations off center. The ultra hard material layer is thickest at a critical zone which encompasses a major portion of the region of contact between the insert and the earth formation. Transition layers may also be formed between the ultra hard material layer and the protrusion so as to reduce the residual stresses formed on the interface between the ultra hard material and the protrusion.
Abstract:
A method for making a polycrystalline diamond construction is disclosed, which includes the steps of treating a polycrystalline diamond body having a plurality of bonded together diamond crystals and a solvent catalyst material to remove the solvent catalyst material therefrom, wherein the solvent catalyst material is disposed within interstitial regions between the bonded together diamond crystals, replacing the removed solvent catalyst material with a replacement material, and treating the body having the replacement material to remove substantially all of the replacement material from a first region of the body extending a depth from a body surface, and allowing the remaining amount of the replacement material to reside in a second region of the body that is remote from the surface.
Abstract:
Methods for nondestructively measuring a characteristic within an ultra-hard polycrystalline construction comprises projecting a beam of energy from an emitter onto the construction. The energy is directed to a target region within the ultra-hard polycrystalline construction and passes through the construction where it is received by a detector. The target region can be within a diamond body of the construction, and can relate to an interface between two or more regions within the diamond body. The energy that is received by the detector is evaluated for the purpose of determining the desired measurement characteristic. In an example embodiment, the measured characteristic can be the interface of between two or more regions and the distance from a surface of the construction to the interface. The method can be used to generate an average distance within the construction, and to provide a visual image of the same in a nondestructive manner.