This study investigates the thermal shock property of a polycrystalline diamond compact (PDC) produced by a high-pressure, high-temperature (HPHT) sintering process. Three kinds of PDCs are manufactured by the HPHT sintering process using different particle sizes of the initial diamond powders: 8-16 μm (D50 = 4.3 μm), 10-20 μm (D50 = 6.92 μm), and 12-22 μm (D50 = 8.94 μm). The microstructure observation results for the manufactured PDCs reveal that elemental Co and W are present along the interface of the diamond particles. The fractions of Co and WC in the PDC increase as the initial particle size decreases. The manufactured PDCs are subjected to thermal shock tests at two temperatures of 780°C and 830°C. The results reveal that the PDC with a smaller particle size of diamond easily produces microscale thermal cracks. This is mainly because of the abundant presence of Co and WC phases along the diamond interface and the easy formation of Co-based (CoO, Co₃O₄) and W-based (WO₂) oxides in the PDC using smaller diamond particles. The microstructural factors for controlling the thermal shock property of PDC material are also discussed.

Citations

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• Effects of initial diamond particle size on the comprehensive mechanical properties of PDC
  Xueqi Wang, Jianbo Tu, Baochang Liu
  Ceramics International.2025; 51(8): 10433.     CrossRef
• High-impact-resistant polycrystalline diamond compact cutters with double working layers
  Xueqi Wang, Jianbo Tu, Baochang Liu
  Diamond and Related Materials.2025; 152: 111906.     CrossRef
• The Influence of the Binder Phase on the Properties of High-Pressure Sintered Diamond Polycrystals or Composites for Cutting Tool Applications
  Lucyna Jaworska
  Materials.2025; 18(3): 634.     CrossRef
• HPHT sintering and performance investigation of PDC with different interfacial geometry substrates for trimodal diamond particle size
  Jianbo Tu, Xueqi Wang, Haibo Zhang, Baochang Liu
  Ceramics International.2024; 50(11): 19074.     CrossRef
• HPHT sintering and performance investigation of PDC with high stacking density by dual particle size diamond formulations
  Jianbo Tu, Xueqi Wang, Baochang Liu
  International Journal of Refractory Metals and Hard Materials.2024; 124: 106802.     CrossRef

This study investigated the microstructure and wear resistance property of HPHT (high pressure high temperature) sintered PDC (polycrystalline diamond compact) in accordance with initial molding pressure. After quantifying an identical amount of diamond powder, the powder was inserted in top of WC-Co sintered material, and molded under four different pressure conditions (50, 100, 150, 200 kgf/cm²). The obtained diamond compact underwent sintering in high pressure, high temperature conditions. In the case of the 50 kgf/cm2 initial molding pressure condition, cracks were formed on the surface of PDC. On the other hand, PDCs obtained from 100~200 kgf/cm² initial molding pressure conditions showed a meticulous structure. As molding pressure increased, low Co composition within PDC was detected. A wear resistance test was performed on the PDC, and the 200 kgf/cm² condition PDC showed the highest wear resistance property.

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• Effect of Co Leaching on the Vertical Turning Lathe Wear Properties of Polycrystalline Diamond Compact Manufactured by High Temperature and High Pressure Sintering Process
  Min-Seok Baek, Ji-Won Kim, Bae-Gun Park, Hee-Sub Park, Kee-Ahn Lee
  Korean Journal of Metals and Materials.2020; 58(7): 480.     CrossRef
• Enhanced wear resistivity of a Zr-based bulk metallic glass processed by high-pressure torsion under reciprocating dry conditions
  Soo-Hyun Joo, Dong-Hai Pi, Jing Guo, Hidemi Kato, Sunghak Lee, Hyoung Seop Kim
  Metals and Materials International.2016; 22(3): 383.     CrossRef

This study investigates the microstructure and thermal shock properties of polycrystalline diamond compact (PDC) produced by the high-temperature, high-pressure (HPHT) process. The diamond used for the investigation features a 12~22 μm- and 8~16 μm-sized main particles, and 1~2 μm-sized filler particles. The filler particle ratio is adjusted up to 5~31% to produce a mixed particle, and then the tap density is measured. The measurement finds that as the filler particle ratio increases, the tap density value continuously increases, but at 23% or greater, it reduces by a small margin. The mixed particle described above undergoes an HPHT sintering process. Observation of PDC microstructures reveals that the filler particle ratio with high tap density value increases direct bonding among diamond particles, Co distribution becomes even, and the Co and W fraction also decreases. The produced PDC undergoes thermal shock tests with two temperature conditions of 820 and 830, and the results reveals that PDC with smaller filler particle ratio and low tap density value easily produces cracks, while PDC with high tap density value that contributes in increased direct bonding along with the higher diamond content results in improved thermal shock properties.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by  

• Effects of initial diamond particle size on the comprehensive mechanical properties of PDC
  Xueqi Wang, Jianbo Tu, Baochang Liu
  Ceramics International.2025; 51(8): 10433.     CrossRef
• HPHT sintering and performance investigation of PDC with different interfacial geometry substrates for trimodal diamond particle size
  Jianbo Tu, Xueqi Wang, Haibo Zhang, Baochang Liu
  Ceramics International.2024; 50(11): 19074.     CrossRef
• HPHT sintering and performance investigation of PDC with high stacking density by dual particle size diamond formulations
  Jianbo Tu, Xueqi Wang, Baochang Liu
  International Journal of Refractory Metals and Hard Materials.2024; 124: 106802.     CrossRef

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by  

• Effect of Diamond Particle Ratio on the Microstructure and Thermal Shock Property of HPHT Sintered Polycrystalline Diamond Compact (PDC)
  Ji-Won Kim, Hee-Sub Park, Jin-Hyeon Cho, Kee-Ahn Lee
  Journal of Korean Powder Metallurgy Institute.2015; 22(2): 111.     CrossRef
• Effect of the SiC Size on the Thermal and Mechanical Properties of Reaction-bonded Silicon Carbide Ceramics
  Chang-Sup Kwon, Yoon-Suk Oh, Sung-Min Lee, Yoonsoo Han, Hyun-Ick Shin, Youngseok Kim, Seongwon Kim
  Journal of Korean Powder Metallurgy Institute.2014; 21(6): 467.     CrossRef