Binders polycrystalline diamond

In 1958, Hall [141] discussed the desirability of preparing a cemented diamond composition analogous to WC and hinted that experiments to produce polycrystalline diamonds were underway. But it was not until 1970, when he reported details of his procedures [142], that he established experimentally practical pressure and temperature fields where pure diamond powder can be sintered within times ranging from several days down to about one second. He mentions hard refractory materials like borides, carbides, nitrides and oxides as suitable binders. 

PCD (polycrystalline diamond) is obtained by sintering synthetic diamond powder in the presence of a metal binder (Co, Ni or Fe a low percentage by volume), at 1,350-1,500°C imder 5 GPa pressure. One may also sinter a layer of diamonds (0.5 mm thick) on a sintered hard metal substrate, the cobalt of the substrate thus participating in the sintering of the diamond and the adherence of the PCD on the substrate. Inserts up to 72 mm diameter and hardness of 5,000 to 8,000 HV may thus be attained. 

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