METHODS OF FORMING A SUPERHARD STRUCTURE OR BODY COMPRISING A BODY OF POLYCRYSTALLINE DIAMOND CONTAINING MATERIAL

摘要

A method of producing a free standing PCD comprises forming a mass of combined diamond particles and precursor compound(s) for the metals of the metallic network by suspending the diamond particles in a liquid, and crystallising and /or precipitating the precursor compounds in the liquid. The mass is then removed from suspension by sedimentation and/or evaporation to form a dry powder of combined diamond particles and precursor compound(s). The powder is subjected to a heat treatment to dissociate and reduce the precursor compound(s) to form metal particles smaller in size than the diamond particles to provide a homogeneous mass. This is then consolidated using isostatic compaction to form a homogeneous cohesive green body of a pre-selected size and 3-dimensional shape. The green body is subjected to high pressure and high temperature conditions such that the metallic material wholly or in part becomes molten and facilitates diamond particle to particle bonding via partial diamond re-crystallisation to form a free standing PCD body.