Abstract:
A composite material comprises a plurality of cores of material selected from the group comprising carbides, nitrides, carbonitrides, cemented carbides, cemented nitrides, cemented carbonitrides and mixtures thereof, dispersed in a matrix. The matrix comprises the components for making an ultra-hard material, such as diamond or cBN abrasive particles, and a suitable binder. The ultra-hard material is polycrystalline in nature and is typically PCD or PcBN. The cores are typically provided as individual particles or in the form of granules. The granules may be further coated with a second coating, which may be a similar material to that of the cores or of an ultra-hard material of a different grade to that of the first coating. The composite material typically takes on a honeycomb structure of a hard material and cores within the pores of the honeycomb structure bonded to the honeycomb structure. The pores of the honeycomb structure may be ordered or random. A method of producing the composite material and a method of producing a tool component incorporating such a material are also provided.
Abstract:
This invention is a method of making a synthetic gem comprising elements recovered from remains of a species of the Kingdom Animalia, comprising the steps of collecting substantially pure carbon from the remains and creating gems from the carbon using crystal growth sublimation.
Abstract:
A process for fabricating diamond from a starting powder material containing carbon as the principal component, and said process comprising bringing said powder material under high pressure, wherein, said powder material containing carbon as the principal component is a powder material containing C.sub.60 and/or carbon microtubules as the principal component, andsaid powder material is brought under high pressure by applying a gradient pressure to the material, while the portion of the powder material to which maximum pressure is applied is irradiated by a laser beam optionally through a diamond window material. An apparatus for fabricating diamond is also described.
Abstract:
Broadly, the present invention is directed to a method for achieving high pressure wherein a sample is placed between a pair of diamond anvils and the anvils compressed. The improvement comprises forming the anvils from one or more of isotopically-pure .sup.12 C or .sup.13 C diamond. Isotopically-pure .sup.13 C diamond is preferred as it has the highest atomic or bond density parameter of any known material and, therefore, should have the highest hardness also Isotopically-enriched diamond .sup.13 C diamond should find utility as an anvil with higher .sup.13 C contents increasing the hardness of the anvil product. By utilizing isotopically pure diamond anvils, less breakage at current pressures should be realized concomitant with the ability to achieve yet higher pressures.
Abstract:
An end cap apparatus for high pressure, high temperature reaction vessels having a reaction chamber containing a reaction charge includes a single member disposed in registry with the reaction charge in the reaction chamber which is formed of at least two or more materials, at least one of which is electrically conductive, and at least one of which is non-conductive to both heat and electricity. In a preferred embodiment, the member is formed of a mixture of graphite and an alkali halide salt. In certain applications, an outer, non-conductive ceramic member surrounds and supports the inner member.
Abstract:
An ultrahigh pressure apparatus for diamond synthesis or the like which comprises a pair of opposed frustoconical punches with a flat end surface, an annular die made of a very hard metallic material and placed between said punches, a hollow cylinder made of a sintered alumina to be free of pores having an inner diameter substantially equal to that of the flat end surface of the punches, a pair of gaskets around and adjacent to the flank of said punches which gaskets each having an outer diameter larger than that of said hollow cylinder and said die having at the middle portion thereof a substantially concentric cylindrical projection of an axial length equal to that of said hollow cylinder so that the bore is tightly fitted to the gaskets and the hollow cylinder.
Abstract:
The generation of ultra-high pressures by a pair of opposed Bridgeman-type anvils is improved by surrounding the major portions of each anvil with a frustro-conical segmented jacket in position to transmit vertical forces thereon to the anvils in an axial direction and at the same time induce lateral compressive stresses therein for increasing the resistance thereof to brittle failure. Additional support is provided to the pressure-face ends of the anvils by a die ring laterally disposed therebetween in position to be circumferentially stressed by a segmented die ring which is, in turn, similarly compressed by a band of pressuretransmitting metal subjected to lateral extrusion by an annular piston enclosing the pressure system. The displacement of the piston is adjustably controlled in accordance with the size of the anvils and the axial forces thereon to provide optimum support to the die ring.
Abstract:
A high pressure/temperature device for carrying out the synthesis of superhard materials, such as diamond and cubic boron nitride, the device consisting of two dies having recesses in closing faces, said recesses forming, in combination, a highpressure chamber which accommodates a container charged with a reaction mixture. In each die, the recess is made in the form of a truncated cone conjugated with a sphere or in the form of a hyperboloid of revolution.
Abstract:
A high-pressure chamber having an inner tubular member circumscribed by a concentric outer tubular member of fully autofrettaged fabrication with a segmented circumferentially complete cylinder of high compressive strength material extending between the inner and outer tubular members.