Patent ID: 7558369
Filing Date: 2009-07-07
Classification: G01B

Abstract:
1. A method for nondestructively measuring a characteristic within an ultra-hard polycrystalline construction comprising a sintered polycrystalline diamond body, the polycrystalline diamond body comprising a matrix phase of bonded-together diamond grains and a plurality of interstitial regions disposed between the bonded-together diamond grains, the polycrystalline diamond body including a first region and a second region, wherein the second region includes a catalyst material disposed within the interstitial regions, and the first region is substantially free of the catalyst material, wherein the method comprises the steps of: projecting a beam of energy onto the ultra-hard polycrystalline construction; receiving energy that has passed through the ultra-hard polycrystalline construction; measuring from the received energy the characteristic; and wherein the first region extends a depth from a surface of the construction, and the second region extends within the construction from the first region, and wherein the measured characteristic is an interface location between the first and second regions.