Diamond-CaCO3 and diamond-Li2CO3 materials sintered using the HPHT method

Diamond-CaCO3 and diamond-Li2CO3 materials were sintered at high pressure (8.0 GPa) and high temperature (2300 °C) for 3 min using the infiltration technique. The structure and mechanical properties of the sintered compacts were characterized. It was determined that the melts of carbonates penetrate into the diamond layer to a depth of 4.5 mm. The wear resistance of the materials was measured using the free-diamond abrasive-grinding test. The wear resistance of the diamond that was sintered with CaCO3 is 33% better than that of the conventional polycrystalline diamond cutters (PDC). The wear of the diamond that was sintered with Li2CO3 also exceeds conventional PDC by 27%.