A method of redistributing the binder phase of a cemented carbide mining insert having a WC hard-phase component, optionally one or more further hard-phase components and a binder includes the steps of providing a green cemented carbide mining insert; applying at least one binder puller selected from a metal oxide or a metal carbonate to only at least one local area of the surface of the green cemented carbide insert; sintering the green carbide mining insert to form a sintered cemented carbide insert; and subjecting the sintered cemented carbide insert to dry tumbling process executed at an elevated temperature of or above 100° C., preferably at a temperature of or above 200° C., more preferably at a temperature of between 200° C. and 450° C.

A method, performed by a centrifuge, for treating toughness and hardness of drill bit buttons is provided. The centrifuge comprises a chamber formed by a stationary side wall and a bottom which is rotatable around a rotation axis, the bottom comprising one or more protrusions which at least partly extends between the rotation axis and the side wall, the side wall comprising at least six pushing elements arranged around a periphery of the side wall. The method comprises rotating, by rotation of the bottom with the protrusions, the drill bit buttons around the rotation axis, pushing, by the pushing elements, the drill bit buttons from the side wall during the rotation of the bottom, collectively forming the drill bit buttons into a torus shape at the bottom of the chamber for inducing collisions between the drill bit buttons, thereby treating the toughness and hardness of the drill bit.

A method, performed by a centrifuge, for treating toughness and hardness of drill bit buttons is provided. The centrifuge comprises a chamber formed by a stationary side wall and a bottom which is rotatable around a rotation axis, the bottom comprising one or more protrusions which at least partly extends between the rotation axis and the side wall, the side wall comprising at least six pushing elements arranged around a periphery of the side wall. The method comprises rotating, by rotation of the bottom with the protrusions, the drill bit buttons around the rotation axis, pushing, by the pushing elements, the drill bit buttons from the side wall during the rotation of the bottom, collectively forming the drill bit buttons into a torus shape at the bottom of the chamber for inducing collisions between the drill bit buttons, thereby treating the toughness and hardness of the drill bit.

A method of treating an articular surface of a metal orthopedic implant includes polishing the surface, blasting the surface with a blast media after the first polishing step and polishing the blasted surface of the metal orthopedic implant after the blasting step. The blasting step roughens the surface to create a surface skew R.sub.sk/S.sub.sk defined by peaks and valleys. The second polishing step reduces the surface skew to a negative skew R.sub.sk/S.sub.sk and produces an average roughness R.sub.a/S.sub.a that is acceptable. Lubrication at the interface of the treated articular surface and the corresponding bearing articular surface is improved, thereby improving wear resistance. Both polishing steps may be performed by drag finishing the surface through an abrasive media.

A method of treating an articular surface of a metal orthopedic implant includes polishing the surface, blasting the surface with a blast media after the first polishing step and polishing the blasted surface of the metal orthopedic implant after the blasting step. The blasting step roughens the surface to create a surface skew R.sub.sk/S.sub.sk defined by peaks and valleys. The second polishing step reduces the surface skew to a negative skew R.sub.sk/S.sub.sk and produces an average roughness R.sub.a/S.sub.a that is acceptable. Lubrication at the interface of the treated articular surface and the corresponding bearing articular surface is improved, thereby improving wear resistance. Both polishing steps may be performed by drag finishing the surface through an abrasive media.

A method, performed by a centrifuge, for treating toughness and hardness of drill bit buttons is provided. The centrifuge comprises a chamber formed by a stationary side wall and a bottom which is rotatable around a rotation axis, the bottom comprising one or more protrusions which at least partly extends between the rotation axis and the side wall, the side wall comprising at least six pushing elements arranged around a periphery of the side wall. The method comprises rotating, by rotation of the bottom with the protrusions, the drill bit buttons around the rotation axis, pushing, by the pushing elements, the drill bit buttons from the side wall during the rotation of the bottom, collectively forming the drill bit buttons into a torus shape at the bottom of the chamber for inducing collisions between the drill bit buttons, thereby treating the toughness and hardness of the drill bit.

A method of treating an articular surface of a metal orthopaedic implant includes polishing the surface, blasting the surface with a blast media after the first polishing step and polishing the blasted surface of the metal orthopaedic implant after the blasting step. The blasting step roughens the surface to create a surface skew R.sub.sk/S.sub.sk defined by peaks and valleys. The second polishing step reduces the surface skew to a negative skew R.sub.sk/S.sub.sk and produces an average roughness R.sub.a/S.sub.a that is acceptable. Lubrication at the interface of the treated articular surface and the corresponding bearing articular surface is improved, thereby improving wear resistance. Both polishing steps may be performed by drag finishing the surface through an abrasive media.

A fixture is provided for retaining a metal workpiece for contact by finishing media during operation of a media based finishing operation. The fixture comprises a body and a magnet for retaining the workpiece in contact with the body. By use of super-magnetic materials a significant holding force may be achieved.

A method of redistributing the binder phase of a cemented carbide mining insert having a WC hard-phase component, optionally one or more further hard-phase components and a binder includes the steps of providing a green cemented carbide mining insert; applying at least one binder puller selected from a metal oxide or a metal carbonate to only at least one local area of the surface of the green cemented carbide insert; sintering the green carbide mining insert to form a sintered cemented carbide insert; and subjecting the sintered cemented carbide insert to dry tumbling process executed at an elevated temperature of or above 100 C., preferably at a temperature of or above 200 C., more preferably at a temperature of between 200 C. and 450 C.