A method for friction stir forming a metal matrix composite (MMC) structure (76). The method includes the step of providing a substrate (12) comprising a metallic material and securing a preformed MMC layer (14, 16) comprising an MMC material in a position overlying at least a portion of the substrate (12). The method further includes the step of friction stirring the preformed MMC layer (14, 16) with a friction stirring tool (50) which includes a rotating probe (56), including locating the probe (56) at a stirring depth at which the probe (56) extends through the preformed MMC layer (14, 16) into a portion of the substrate (12) and passing the tool (50) through the preformed MMC layer (14) at the stirring depth to friction stir the preformed MMC layer (14, 16) and integrate the preformed MMC layer (14, 16) with the substrate (12).

Methods and compositions are provided for improving metal dusting corrosion, abrasion resistance and/or erosion resistance for various materials, preferably for applications relating to high-temperature reactors, including dense fluidized bed reactor components. In particular, cermets comprising (a) at least one ceramic phase selected from the group consisting of metal carbides, metal nitrides, metal borides, metal oxides, metal carbonitrides, and mixtures of thereof and (b) at least one metal alloy binder phase are provided. Ceramic phase materials include chromium carbide (Cr.sub.23C.sub.6). Metal alloy binder phase materials include ?-NiAl intermetallic alloys and Ni.sub.3Sn.sub.2 intermetallic alloys, as well as alloys that contain ?-Cr and/or ?-Ni.sub.3Al hard phases. Preferably, bimetallic materials are provided when the cermet compositions are applied using a laser, e.g., a laser cladding method such as high power direct diode (HPDD) laser, or by plasma-based methods such as plasma transfer arc (PTA) welding and powder plasma welding (PPW).

Cutting elements for earth-boring tools may include a superhard, polycrystalline material and a substrate adjacent to and secured to the superhard, polycrystalline material at an interface. The substrate may include a first region exhibiting a first coefficient of thermal expansion and a second region exhibiting a second, different coefficient of thermal expansion. The first region may be spaced from the superhard, polycrystalline material. The second region may extend from laterally adjacent to at least a portion of the first region to longitudinally between the first region and the superhard, polycrystalline material.

A cutter for use with a drill bit includes: a substrate for mounting in a pocket of the drill bit and made from a cermet material; a cutting table made from a polycrystalline superhard material and mounted to the substrate; and a shield disposed in an outer recess of the substrate adjacent to the cutting table, mounted to the substrate, extending from the cutting table along a partial length of the substrate, and made from a composite material comprising the polycrystalline superhard material and a ceramic.

A titanium product includes an inner layer portion and a surface layer portion joined to the inner layer portion. The surface layer portion has a composition consisting of, by mass %, O: 0.4% or less, Fe: 0.5% or less, Cl: 0.020% or less, the balance: Ti and impurities. The inner layer portion 3 has pores and a composition consisting of, by mass %, O: 0.4% or less, Fe: 0.5% or less, Cl: more than 0.020% and 0.60%, the balance: Ti and impurities. The area fraction of the pores in the inner layer portion in a cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the titanium product is more than 0% and not more than 30%. The Cl content (Cl.sub.I) of the inner layer portion, a thickness (t.sub.S) of the surface layer portion, and a thickness (t.sub.I) of the inner layer portion satisfy the expression [Cl.sub.I0.03+0.02t.sub.S/t.sub.I].

Polycrystalline diamond bodies having an annular region of diamond grains and a core region of diamond grains and methods of making the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, a polycrystalline diamond body includes an annular region of inter-bonded diamond grains having a first characteristic property and a core region of inter-bonded diamond grains bonded to the annular region and having a second characteristic property that differs from the first characteristic property. The annular region decreases in thickness from a perimeter surface of the polycrystalline diamond body towards a centerline axis.

Methods of forming a polycrystalline table may involve disposing a plurality of particles comprising a superabrasive material, a substrate comprising a hard material, and a catalyst material in a mold. The plurality of particles may be partially sintered in the presence of the catalyst material to form a brown polycrystalline table having a first permeability attached to an end of the substrate. The substrate may be removed from the brown polycrystalline table and catalyst material may be removed from the brown polycrystalline table. The brown polycrystalline table may then be fully sintered to form a polycrystalline table having a reduced, second permeability. Intermediate structures formed during a process of attaching a polycrystalline table to a substrate may include a substantially fully leached brown polycrystalline table. The substantially fully leached brown polycrystalline table may include a plurality of interbonded grains of a superabrasive material.

A method of fabricating a cemented carbide article by additive manufacturing, and a granular material are disclosed. A precursor material is provided that comprises granules, the granules comprising carbide grains and a binder comprising any of cobalt, nickel and iron. Each granule has a density of at least 99.5% of the theoretical density and the granules of the precursor material have a mean compressive strength of at least 40 megapascals (MPa). An additive manufacturing process is used to manufacture the article by building up successive layers of material derived from the precursor material.

A polycrystalline diamond sintered material tool includes: a cemented carbide substrate, which is mainly composed of WC and includes Co; and a diamond layer containing a metal catalyst made of Co provided on the cemented carbide substrate. The average layer thickness of a Co rich layer formed in an interface between the cemented carbide substrate and the diamond layer is 30 m or less. C.sub.MAX/C.sub.DIA is 2 or less when C.sub.DIA is an average content of Co included in the diamond layer and C.sub.MAX is a peak value of a C.sub.O content in the Co rich layer. D/D.sub.O is less than 2 when D is an average grain size of WC particles in a region from the interface between the cemented carbide substrate and the diamond layer to 50 m toward an inside of the cemented carbide substrate; and D.sub.O is an average grain size of WC particles.

Polycrystalline diamond compacts (PDCs) and methods of manufacturing such PDCs. In an embodiment, the PDC includes a polycrystalline diamond (PCD) table having at least a portion of a metal-solvent catalyst removed therefrom. Removing at least a portion of a metal-solvent catalyst from the PCD table may increase the porosity of the PCD table relative to a PCD table that has not been treated to remove the metal-solvent catalyst. Likewise, removing at least a portion of a metal-solvent catalyst from the PCD table may decrease the specific magnetic saturation and increase the coercivity of the PCD table relative to a PCD table that has not been treated to remove the metal-solvent catalyst.