Smith International, Inc.

David Den Boer

Scott M Packer

Peter Littecke

A method wherein a superhard abrasive material is sintered and simultaneously bonded to a sintered cemented carbide body inside a container under elevated pressure and temperature conditions (HP/HT-treatment), whereby said cemented carbide body is in contact with at least one other cemented carbide body which after the sintering is removed, is disclosed. At least the cemented carbide surfaces in contact with each other during the HP/HT-treatment is at least one coated with a 1-10 &mgr;m thick layer of a refractory oxide. The method is particularly applicable for making cemented carbide cutting inserts provided a superabrasive material and with a hole for clamping to a tool holder whereby said hole is filled with a cemented carbide plug during the HP/HT-treatment and removed thereafter. Preferably, both the plug and the insert blank are coated.

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Pleasant Grove, UT, United States of America

David Den Boer