PCD elements and process for making the same

摘要

Catalyst in a sintered polycrystalline diamond (PCD) structure is dissolved in at least a portion of the structure by a liquid solvent metal. The structure is infused with the heated solvent and the solvent infiltrates interstitial spaces between consolidated diamond grains to contact residual catalyst from the sintering process. The dissolved catalyst passes to the bulk solvent and the solvent replaces the catalyst in the interstitial spaces.