Diamond Particle Surface Texturing for Polycrystalline Cutter Bonding

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for producing superabrasive compacts, such as those using diamond particles, face challenges in achieving optimal surface texture and bonding, leading to subpar wear resistance and abrasion resistance, particularly when used in high-pressure high-temperature (HPHT) processes.

Innovation Solution

The method involves heat treating diamond particles at temperatures between 550°C to 700°C in flowing air or oxygen to create nano-scale or sub-micron surface textures, followed by attaching these treated particles to a substrate like cemented tungsten carbide and subjecting them to elevated temperature and pressure conditions, which enhances diamond bonding and wear resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If diamond particles are used to produce superabrasive compacts, then hardness is improved, but wear resistance and abrasion resistance are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovehardnessVSAvoidwear resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The diamond particles undergo preliminary heat treatment at 550-700°C in flowing air or oxygen before being subjected to HPHT conditions. This pre-treatment creates a nano-scale or sub-micron surface texture on the particles, which prepares them for enhanced bonding during subsequent processing, thereby improving wear resistance while maintaining hardness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the surface parameters of diamond particles by heat treating them at specific temperatures (550-700°C) in controlled oxygen-containing atmospheres. This parameter change creates surface textures that significantly improve bonding characteristics and wear resistance without compromising the inherent hardness of the diamond material

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If diamond particles are heat treated at elevated temperatures, then surface texture is improved, but particle weight is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurface textureVSAvoidparticle weight
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

By precisely controlling the heat treatment parameters (temperature range of 550-700°C, flowing air or oxygen atmosphere, treatment duration), the process achieves optimal surface texture modification while minimizing material loss. The parameter optimization ensures that sufficient surface area is textured to improve bonding without excessive oxidation that would cause significant weight loss

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The heat treatment process creates a composite surface structure on the diamond particles, where a modified surface layer with enhanced texture is formed while preserving the core diamond material. This composite structure improves bonding characteristics while maintaining the bulk properties and minimizing overall weight loss

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Strength

If diamond particles are attached to substrate and subjected to HPHT conditions, then bonding is improved, but process complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovebondingVSAvoidprocess complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The surface texture modification is performed as a preliminary step before HPHT bonding. By pre-texturing the particle surfaces through relatively simple heat treatment in flowing air or oxygen, the subsequent HPHT bonding process becomes more effective, achieving strong bonding without requiring excessively complex process equipment or conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach results in improved wear resistance and abrasion resistance of the superabrasive compacts, as demonstrated by reduced weight loss and increased durability in cutting tools, specifically against granite rock, with enhanced diamond bonding and surface texture contributing to better performance.

Implementation Method 1

heat treating the powder of the plurality of diamond particles at a temperature from 550°C to 700 °C in flowing air or flowing oxygen to form said treated diamond particles with a nano-scale or sub-micron surface texture

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOxidation: Oxidation

Implementation Method 2

heat treating the powder of the plurality of diamond particles at a temperature from 550°C to 700 °C in flowing air or flowing oxygen for 0.5 to 3 hours

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat treatment: Heat Treatment

Implementation Method 3

subjecting the substrate and the superabrasive volume of the powder to conditions of elevated temperature and pressure suitable for producing the polycrystalline superabrasive compact

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSintering: Sintering

Implementation Method 4

subjecting the substrate and the superabrasive volume to conditions of elevated temperature and pressure from 1400°C to 2500°C and 1 MPa to 8 MPa (10 to 80 kbar), respectively

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHigh pressure high temperature processing:

Data Source

PatentEP3129336B1Modification of diamond feeds for improving polycrystalline diamond cutter
Publication Date: 2021.02.24 DIAMOND INNOVATIONS INC
  • EP3129336B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3129336B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3129336B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A superabrasive compact and a method of making the superabrasive compact are disclosed. A superabrasive compact may comprise a superabrasive volume and a substrate. The substrate may be attached to the superabrasive volume via an interface. The superabrasive volume may be formed by a plurality of polycrystalline superabrasive particles. The superabrasive particles may have nano or sub-micron scale surface texture.The surface texture is the result of treating the diamond or cBN particles in hydrogen or oxygen- containing atmoshere. The diamond or cBN particles are joined with the cemented tungsten carbide substrate by high pressure high temperature sintering.