POLYCRYSTALLINE DIAMOND MEMBER AND METHOD OF MAKING THE SAME

摘要

A polycrystalline diamond member (60) and a method for making the same. The member (60) includes a backing and a layer of polycrystalline diamond (64) on the backing (62) wherein the layer of polycrystalline diamond (64) has a rake surface (80) and a flank surface (82). The layer of polycrystalline diamond (64) has an interior region (68) adjacent to the backing and an exterior region (66) adjacent to the interior region (68) wherein the exterior region (66) terminates at the rake surface (80). The interior region (68) includes interior diamond particles (70) and a catalyst (76) with the interior diamond particles (70) being bridged together so as to form interstices therebetween. The catalyst (76) is at the interstices of the interior diamond particles. The exterior region (66) includes exterior diamond particles (70) bridged together so as to form interstices therebetween with the exterior region (66) being essentially free of the catalyst. A chemical vapor deposition-applied hard material (74) essentially surrounds the exterior diamond particles (70).