US Synthetic Corporation

Renato Ventura

Greg Carlos Topham

Debkumar Mukhopadhyay

Tyler Scott Dunaway

Embodiments of the invention relate to polycrystalline diamond compacts ('PDCs') including a polycrystalline diamond ('PCD') table having a structure for enhancing at least one of abrasion resistance, thermal stability, or impact resistance. In an embodiment, a PDC includes a PCD table. The PCD table includes a lower region including a plurality of diamond grains exhibiting a lower average grain size and at least an upper region adjacent to the lower region and including a plurality of diamond grains exhibiting an upper average grain size. The lower average grain size may be at least two times greater than that of the upper average grain size. The PDC includes a substrate having an interfacial surface that is bonded to the lower region of the PCD table. Other embodiments are directed methods of forming PDCs, and various applications for such PDCs in rotary drill bits, bearing apparatuses, and wire-drawing dies.

Polycrystalline diamond compact and applications therefor

Embodiments relate to a polycrystalline diamond compact ('PDC') including a polycrystalline diamond ('PCD') table having at least two regions and being bonded to a fine grained cemented tungsten carbide substrate. In an embodiment, a PDC includes a cemented carbide substrate having a cobalt-containing cementing constituent cementing tungsten carbide grains together that exhibit an average grain size of about 1.5 &#x3bc;m or less, and a PCD table having at least one upper region including diamond grains exhibiting an upper average grain size and at least one lower region adjacent to the upper region a lower average grain size that may be at least two times greater than the upper average grain size. The cemented carbide substrate includes an interfacial surface and a depletion zone depleted of the cementing constituent that extends inwardly from the interfacial surface to a depth of, for example, about 30 &#x3bc;m to about 60 &#x3bc;m.

Polycrystalline diamond compacts including a cemented carbide substrate and applications therefor

Embodiments disclosed herein are directed to methods and systems for X-ray imaging and/or inspection of a PCD element in a protective leaching cup, which may be placed in a tray. Embodiments include inspection of one or more characteristics between the protective leaching cup and the PCD element prior to and/or after leaching of the PCD element. Embodiments also include using X-ray imaging to assist with positioning the PCD element in the protective leaching cup. Embodiments further include inspection of one or more defects in the PCD element during processing and/or after usage by X-ray technique.

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Provo, UT, United States of America

Renato Ventura