Patent ID: 10737368

Abstract:
A method of treating a cutter element comprises contacting at least a portion of a volume of polycrystalline diamond with an electrolyte solution, applying an electrical current between the volume of the polycrystalline diamond and a counter electrode to maintain a predetermined electrochemical potential between a reference electrode and the volume of polycrystalline diamond, and corroding at least a portion of the catalyst material from the interstitial spaces between the diamond grains in the volume of polycrystalline diamond. The volume of the polycrystalline diamond comprises interbonded diamond grains and a catalyst material disposed in the interstitial spaces between adjacent diamond grains in the volume of polycrystalline diamond. The counter electrode is in contact with the electrolyte solution, and the electrical current is supplied at a substantially constant electrochemical potential between a reference electrode and the volume of polycrystalline diamond.