Patent attributes
A method of processing a superabrasive element includes providing a superabrasive element including a polycrystalline diamond table that includes a metallic material disposed in interstitial spaces defined within the polycrystalline diamond table. The polycrystalline diamond table includes a superabrasive face and a superabrasive side surface extending around an outer periphery of the superabrasive face. The method also includes leaching the metallic material from at least a volume of the polycrystalline diamond table to produce a leached volume in the polycrystalline diamond table by (1) exposing at least a portion of the polycrystalline diamond table to a processing solution, (2) exposing an electrode to the processing solution, and (3) applying a charge to the electrode such that a voltage is generated between the polycrystalline diamond table and the electrode and the voltage is applied to the processing solution. The method includes the use of an improved processing solution, including an organic acid and a divalent (e.g., Group II) metal salt, to increase the leaching depth.
