Patent ID: 7740673
Filing Date: 2010-06-22
Classification: B22F,B24D,C22C,E21B,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A method for making a thermally stable polycrystalline diamond construction comprising a polycrystalline diamond compact having a polycrystalline diamond body and a metallic substrate attached thereto, the polycrystalline diamond body including a plurality of intercrystalline bonded diamond grains and interstitial regions disposed therebetween, the polycrystalline diamond body having an upper surface and a side surface extending a length from the upper surface toward the substrate, the method comprising: treating the compact to render a first region of the diamond body substantially free of Group VIII metal while allowing the Group VIII metal to remain untreated in a second region of the diamond body, wherein the first region extends a partial depth into the diamond body along a partial length of the side surface, wherein the partial length extends substantially uniformly around a circumference of the diamond body along the side surface at least 50% down the side surface from the upper surface.