Study of tantalum as an alternative binder of polycrystalline diamond

Polycrystalline diamond (PCD) is widely applied in the cutting and drilling industry due to its excellent mechanical properties. Currently, several researchers have been studying the use of different binders in its manufacturing, seeking to improve its properties and reduce the use of traditional metals that are harmful to human health and the environment. This work aims to study the viability of tantalum as an alternative binding agent for PCD. The products developed were processed using powder metallurgy and High Pressure-High Temperature (HPHT) sintering. The effect of different tantalum concentrations (2.5, 5.0, 7.5, and 10.0 wt%) was investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Confocal Microscopy, Particle Size Analysis, and Scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Furthermore, mechanical properties and failure behavior were employed to evaluate the products. The microstructural and mechanical analysis demonstrated satisfactory sample performance, which may indicate that tantalum can be a viable alternative to act as a PCD binder.