Polycrystalline diamond cutters sintered with magnesium carbonate in cubic anvil press

• Published in: International journal of refractory metals & hard materials Vol. 31; pp. 71 - 75
• Main Authors: Qian, J., McMurray, C.E., Mukhopadhyay, D.K., Wiggins, J.K., Vail, M.A., Bertagnolli, K.E.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.03.2012
• Subjects: High pressure-high temperature (HPHT); Mechanical properties; Polycrystalline diamond cutters (PDC); Superhard materials; Thermal stability; Wear; Mechanical properties; High pressure-high temperature (HPHT); Polycrystalline diamond cutters (PDC); Wear; Thermal stability; Superhard materials
• ISSN: 0263-4368; 2213-3917
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrmhm.2011.09.008

Polycrystalline diamond cutters (PDC) were sintered with magnesium carbonate (MgCO3) around 8GPa and 2200–2400°C in a single-stage cubic anvil press. Different analyzing techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) were applied to characterize the micro-structure, sintering behavior, and composition of the diamond-MgCO3 system. Wear resistance, thermal stability, and rupture strength of MgCO3-sintered PDC were compared against conventional cobalt-sintered PDC. An improvement in performance was observed from our laboratory tests, which may enable MgCO3-sintered PDC to be a functional superhard material for the cutting, drilling, and machining industries. ► Diamond–MgCO3 PDC was sintered around 8GPa/2300°C in a multi anvil cube press. ► Diamond–MgCO3 has better abrasion, thermal stability, and strength than Co-PDC. ► Presence of inert MgCO3 is crucial for diamond–MgCO3 PDC's mechanical properties. ► Diamond–MgCO3 PDC is a potential functional material for industrial applications.