Claims
- 1. A method for machining a polycrystalline diamond component, the polycrystalline diamond component including a matrix of interstices and wherein a volume close to a working surface thereof is substantially free of catalyzing material, at least another part of the polycrystalline diamond component including catalyzing material, comprising the steps of rendering the volume which is substantially free of catalyzing material electrically conductive, and using an electron discharge machining technique to machine the polycrystalline diamond.
- 2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the polycrystalline diamond component is treated by applying a layer of a conductive material to the working surface.
- 3. A method according to claim 2, wherein the layer of a conductive material comprises a layer of nickel.
- 4. A method according to claim 1, wherein the polycrystalline diamond component is treated to infiltrate a conductive material into the interstices of the volume close to the working surface.
- 5. A method according to claim 4, wherein the polycrystalline diamond component is infiltrated using a pressure impregnation technique.
- 6. A method according to claim 5, wherein the conductive material comprises one of an electrically conductive media and graphite.
- 7. A method according to claim 4, wherein the polycrystalline diamond component is infiltrated using a vacuum impregnation technique.
- 8. A method according to claim 7, wherein the conductive material comprises one of a graphite suspension and an electrically conductive point.
- 9. A method according to claim 1, wherein the polycrystalline diamond component is bonded to a substrate, and the electron discharge machining technique is used to machine polycrystalline diamond cutters from the polycrystalline diamond.
- 10. A machinable polycrystalline diamond material comprising polycrystalline diamond defining a matrix of interstices containing a catalyzing material, a volume of the polycrystalline diamond close to a working surface thereof being substantially free of catalyzing material, and a layer of an electrically conductive material applied over at least part of the working surface.
- 11. A machinable polycrystalline diamond material comprising polycrystalline diamond defining a matrix of interstices containing a catalyzing material, a volume of the polycrystalline diamond close to a working surface being substantially free of catalyzing material, and an electrically conductive material located within the interstices of said volume.
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/234,075 filed Sep. 20, 2000, and from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/281,054 filed Apr. 2, 2001.
Provisional Applications (2)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
|
60234075 |
Sep 2000 |
US |
|
60281054 |
Apr 2001 |
US |