US Patent 7435377 Weldable ultrahard materials and associated methods of manufacture

A weldable ultrahard insert can include an ultrahard working layer and a weldable metal layer metallically bonded with the working layer. The ultrahard working layer can be any ultrahard material such as PCD, PCBN, metal carbide, ceramic, diamond, or the like. The weldable ultrahard inserts can be formed by charging a reaction vessel with ultrahard materials, including precursors thereof, and placing a weldable metal layer in the reaction vessel with an optional intermediate layer. The assembly can be subjected to a pressure and a temperature sufficient to metallically bond the weldable metal layer to the ultrahard material. The weldable layer is formed as part of the insert in situ which facilitates subsequent welding of the insert to a tool substrate without risking damage to the ultrahard material.