Patent ID: 10046436

Abstract:
A polycrystalline diamond compact (PDC) is fabricated using a process of delayed diffusion (i.e., post-sintering) of a diffusion species (i.e., a metalloid) introduced from the back side of a carbide further away from the diamond grit or from the flank side of the carbide, as opposed to the side of the carbide adjacent to the diamond grit. The process of fabricating the PDC includes depositing, in a metal container, a synthetic diamond grit, a carbide, and a diffusion species, then applying a high pressure and high temperature (HPHT) to the contents of the metal container wherein (1) the carbide diffuses across the diamond grit, and (2) the diffusion species diffuses across the carbide followed by the diamond grit, thus providing a protective coating to the PDC.