Patent ID: 7392865

Claim:
A bit for drilling subterranean formations comprising a body and a number of cutting elements connected to the body, wherein one or more of the cuffing elements comprises a composite construction comprising a plurality of first regions and a second region that surrounds at least a portion of the first regions, wherein composite construction is formed by the process of: combining a plurality of randomly arranged granules each comprising a first material phase and a second material phase, wherein the first and second material phases are in contact with one another and are oriented relative to one another the same within each granule, wherein the granule first and second material phases are formed from materials selected from the group consisting of polycrystalline diamond, polycrystalline cubic boron nitride, precursors of these materials, and mixtures thereof, and wherein the granule second material phase is relatively more ductile than the granule first material phase in sintered form; and subjecting the combined randomly arranged granules to elevated pressure and temperature conditions to form the composite construction.