Abstract:
A method of manufacturing a diamond laser crystal having an excellent laser efficiency is performed by first, preparing a synthetic type Ib diamond containing at least 60 volume percent of a (111) plane growth sector (43) is prepared. This synthetic diamond is then thermally treated under high temperature/high pressure, so that type Ib nitrogen contained in the synthetic diamond is converted to type IaA nitrogen. Thereafter an electron beam is applied to the synthetic diamond in order to generate vacancies in the synthetic diamond. Finally annealing is performed on the synthetic diamond to form H3 centers by coupling the type IaA nitrogen atoms contained in the synthetic diamond, with the vacancies. According to this method, the H3 centers can be formed in the synthetic type Ib diamond at high concentration, while formation of NV centers which become an obstacle to laser action, can be suppressed.
Abstract:
Apparatus and methods are disclosed for the rapid generation of high hydrostatic pressures and the concurrent delivery of said pressures to a workpiece. The apparatus and methods comprise the rapid thermal expansion and vaporization of a volatile fluid. The volatile fluid is typically liquid argon and heated typically by means of a controllable electric heater, delivered to the workpiece typically by means of a pressure-rupturable membrane. The disclosed apparatus and methods permit the application of high hydrostatic pressures to commercial-scale workpieces, in an economic manner and with reduced cycle times.
Abstract:
Disclosed is an improved method for making a polycrystalline diamond compact comprising subjecting a mass of diamond particles, which mass is adjacent a cemented metal carbide mass containing a catalyst, to a high pressure/high temperature process which results in a compact characterized by diamond-to-diamond bonding. The improvement in such process comprises placing a second catalyst source adjacent the diamond mass, said second catalyst having a melting point which is lower than the melting point of the catalyst of the carbide; and subjecting said mass to high pressure/high temperature sintering at a temperature above the melting point of the second catalyst, but below the melting point of the carbide catalyst, for causing said second catalyst to selectively diffuse through said mass for forming said polycrystalline diamond compact. The preferred catalyst is a mixture of cobalt and boron.
Abstract:
The invention provides a composite diamond abrasive compact comprising a thermally stable diamond compact directly bonded to a cemented carbide substrate. The thermally stable diamond compact comprises bonded diamond forming a coherent, skeletal mass and a second phase which preferably consists of silicon and/or silicon carbide. A method of producing the composite diamond abrasive compact under controlled elevated temperature and pressure conditions is also provided.
Abstract:
An ultra-high pressure solid pressing machine of the type having a pair of upper and lower platens mounted in a press frame and movable relatively toward and away from each other, a mold unit interposed between the upper and lower platens and including at least a cylindrical cavity for receiving raw material therein, upper and lower conical surfaces formed around the upper and lower ends of the cylindrical cavity, and upper and lower anvils fitted respectively in the upper and lower conical surfaces through a gasket to compress the raw material in the cylindrical cavity under an ultra-high pressure, characterized in that the pressing machine includes a plurality of mold units stacked one on another between the upper and lower platens through insulators with axes of cylindrical cavities of the respective mold units being in vertical alignment with each other and a current supply control separately connected to the mold units.
Abstract:
A thermostable polycrystalline diamond body is produced by pre-treating the diamond crystals with molten base or salt, mixing the pre-treated diamond crystals with silicon powder or a blend of silicon and one or more substances, subjecting the mixture to a combination of high-pressure and high-temperature and maintaining the pressure and temperature for a period of time. The thermostable polycrystalline diamond body is characterized in having diamond crystals uniformly distributed in the body. The diamond crystals are covered by .beta.-silicon carbide and that the diamond crystals together with .beta.-silicon carbide form an uninterrupted framework throughout the entire body, the interstices of which are filled with elemental silicon or silicon-containing refractory phases. A polygonal graphite mold having walls of equal thickness useful in the production of said thermostable polycrystalline diamond body is also provided.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a hard diamond sintered body for use in tools such as cutting tools, excavating tools and wire drawing dies and a method for producing the same. A sintered body obtained by sintering fine powders of diamond under a superhigh pressure has been already used in cutting tools, drill bits, wire drawing dies and the like of nonferrous metals and similars. However, they have said that such a diamond sintered body is inferior in heat-resistance. The present invention was achieved from the investigation aiming at the elimination of the above described defect of being inferior in heat-resistance of the conventional diamond sintered body. That is to say, according to the present invention, synthetic diamond powders containing a diamond synthesizing catalyst consisting of VIII group ferrous metals of the periodic table or Cr, Mn or Ta or alloys containing them used in the synthesis of diamond at a ratio of 0.01 to 10% by weight are exposed to a high temperature under the condition wherein diamond is unstable to graphitize a part or whole thereof and then the resulting raw materials are filled in a reaction vessel consisting of at least one kind of metals selected from a group consisting of Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Nb, Ta, Cr, Mo, W and the like and sintered at a superhigh pressure of 50 Kb or more and high temperature of 1,400.degree. C. or more, under which diamond is stable, to obtain a diamond sintered body. In short, the present invention relates to a hard diamond sintered body, characterized by comprising intermetallic compounds consisting of metals or alloys thereof contained in said diamond as a raw material and metals composing a reaction vessel at a ratio of 0.01 to 12% by weight, and a method for producing the same. A hard diamond sintered body obtained according to the present invention is superior in heat-resistance and abrasion-resistance, in particular heat-resistance, of which lowness has been a disadvantage of the conventional diamond sintered body, can be remarkably and successfully improved without reducing the strength.
Abstract:
A high pressure apparatus including a container internally provided with a cylindrical space capable of being closed, which container is constituted by a unitary member or an integral assembly of a plurality of members joined throughout its full axial length; a cotter member or a pin inserted radially in the container at one or both axial end portions of the container, which cotter member or pin serves as a structure for bearing an axial force induced by a high pressure load; and a plurality of flexible members wound round the outer periphery of the container axially of the latter to thereby exert a precompression on the entirety of the container.
Abstract:
The high pressure/high temperature (HP/HT) process for making diamond or CBN compacts has been modified by placing partitions within the crystal mass before HP/HT processing. With reference to FIG. 3, within the shield metal sleeve 11 and shield metal cup 14 are placed pliable metal shapes 20 in a honeycomb pattern. The abrasive crystals within the tubes 18 and outside the tubes 26 is sintered, and a compact containing the tubes embedded therein results. This compact can be acid leached to give a plurality of small compacts which need little if any additional shaping. The partitions can also be left intact as chip arresters.
Abstract:
A high temperature high pressure apparatus which comprises: an annular die having a straight cylindrical bore and a substantially conical face in adjacency outwards with each end thereof, a pair of tapered punches which are in opposed and axial alignment with the die so that a conical face of each punch is substantially in parallel with that of the die, a pair of inner gaskets, each of which is made of fired refractory and is arranged in direct abutment on the conical face of the punch and the bore of the die, a pair of outer gaskets, which are made of material of intermediate hardness level and is arranged in adjacency outside the inner gasket, and a pair of stopper rings of readily deformable but highly tough material and arranged in adjacency outwards to the outer gaskets.