Cutter structures, inserts comprising same and method for making same

Abstract

A method of making a cutter structure comprising super-hard material defining a rake face topology is provided. The method includes providing a pre-sinter assembly comprising a substrate body having a formation surface defining a topology complementary to the rake face topology, and an aggregation comprising a plurality of super-hard grains, the aggregation disposed adjacent the formation surface of the substrate body, the substrate body comprising a source of catalyst or binder material capable of promoting the sintering of the super-hard grains at a pressure and temperature at which the super-hard material is thermodynamically stable; subjecting the pre-sinter assembly to the pressure and temperature to provide a sintered polycrystalline super-hard structure joined to the formation surface of the substrate body at a first major boundary of the super-hard structure and having a second major boundary surface opposite the formation surface; removing the substrate body to expose the first major boundary of the super-hard structure defining the rake face topology. Cutter inserts and machine tools are also provided.