POLYCRYSTALLINE COMPACTS INCLUDING DIAMOND NANOPARTICLES, CUTTING ELEMENTS AND EARTH-BORING TOOLS INCLUDING SUCH COMPACTS, AND METHODS OF FORMING SAME

摘要

A polycrystalline compact comprises a plurality of diamond grains of micron size, submicron size, or both, and a plurality of diamond nanoparticles disposed in interstitial spaces between the plurality of diamond grains. A method of forming a polycrystalline compact comprises combining a plurality of micron and/or submicron-sized diamond grains and a plurality of diamond nanoparticles to form a mixture and sintering the mixture in a presence of a carburized binder to form a polycrystalline hard material comprising a plurality of inter-bonded diamond grains and diamond nanoparticles. Cutting elements comprising a polycrystalline compact and earth-boring tools bearing such compacts are also disclosed.

主权项

1. A method of fabricating polycrystalline diamond, comprising:
encapsulating micron-sized diamond grains and diamond nanoparticles in a canister; and subjecting the encapsulated diamond particles and diamond nanoparticles in the presence of a carburized binder to a pressure of at least 5.0 GPa and a temperature of at least 1000° C. to form inter-granular bonds between the diamond particles.