Patent ID: 6544308
Filing Date: 2003-04-08
Classification: C04B,E21B,Y10T

Abstract:
A preform cutting element comprising a body of a superhard polycrystalline material comprising a plurality of bonded diamond crystals integrally formed with a metallic substrate, the diamond crystals having an average particle size substantially greater than 15 microns, a plurality of interstitial regions among the diamond crystals and a catalyzing material, the body having at least an 85% by volume diamond density and a cutting surface, wherein a first interstitial region adjacent to at least a portion of the cutting surface is substantially free of the catalyzing material and a second interstitial region in a portion of the body in contact with the substrate contains the catalyzing material, wherein the first interstitial region extends beneath the cutting surface at least about 0.1 mm and the second interstitial region has an average thickness greater than 0.15 mm.