Leaching assemblies, systems, and methods for processing superabrasive elements
Leaching assemblies for processing superabrasive elements element and methods of processing superabrasive elements include a protective leaching cup and a liner for receiving at least a portion of a superabrasive element. The liner may include a rear wall, a side wall, and a tapered interface extending between the side wall and the rear wall.
1. A leaching assembly for processing a polycrystalline diamond element, comprising:
a protective leaching cup comprising a seal region having a reduced diameter, the seal region configured to contact at least a portion of a side surface of a polycrystalline diamond element when the polycrystalline diamond element is inserted into the protective leaching cup; and
a liner positioned within the protective leaching cup in a position between the protective leaching cup and at least a portion of the polycrystalline diamond element that is to be received in the protective leaching cup and the liner, the liner comprising:
an opening for receiving the at least a portion of the polycrystalline diamond element;
a rear wall opposite the opening;
a side wall extending between the opening and the rear wall; and
a tapered interface extending between the side wall and the rear wall.
2. The leaching assembly of claim 1 , wherein the tapered interface comprises an arcuate cross-sectional shape that gradually decreases in diameter as the tapered interface extends from the side wall to the rear wall of the liner.
3. The leaching assembly of claim 1 , wherein the tapered interface defines a rounded edge portion of a rear portion of the liner.
4. The leaching assembly of claim 1 , wherein the tapered interface exhibits an edge portion that is angled relative to the rear wall and side wall of the liner.
5. The leaching assembly of claim 1 , wherein the tapered interface is configured to partially conform to a chamfered rear surface of a substrate of the polycrystalline diamond element.
6. The leaching assembly of claim 5 , wherein the tapered interface defines a seal with the substrate of the polycrystalline diamond element to at least partially isolate the chamfered rear surface of the substrate of the polycrystalline diamond element from a leaching agent supplied in a leaching process.
7. The leaching assembly of claim 5 , wherein the tapered interface is configured to define a gap between the liner and the chamfered rear surface of the substrate of the polycrystalline diamond element.
8. The leaching assembly of claim 1 , wherein the tapered interface is configured to define a gap between the liner and a rearward portion of the polycrystalline diamond element.
9. A leaching assembly for processing a polycrystalline diamond element, comprising:
a protective leaching cup; and
a liner positioned within the protective leaching cup in a position between the protective leaching cup and at least a portion of a polycrystalline diamond element that is to be received in the protective leaching cup and the liner, the liner comprising:
an opening for receiving the at least a portion of the polycrystalline diamond element;
a rear wall opposite the opening;
a side wall extending between the opening and the rear wall; and
a tapered interface extending between the side wall and the rear wall, wherein the liner comprises another opening at the rear wall of the liner.
10. The leaching assembly of claim 9 , wherein the protective leaching cup further comprises a seal region having a reduced diameter, the seal region configured to contact at least a portion of a side surface of the polycrystalline diamond element when the polycrystalline diamond element is inserted into the protective leaching cup.
11. A leaching assembly for processing a superabrasive element, the leaching assembly comprising:
a protective leaching cup configured to surround at least a portion of a superabrasive element; and
a liner in the protective leaching cup and configured to be positioned between the superabrasive element and the protective leaching cup, the liner comprising:
an opening for receiving the at least a portion of the superabrasive element;
a rear wall positioned opposite the opening;
a side wall extending between the opening and the rear wall; and
an interface between the side wall and the rear wall, the interface configured to accommodate a chamfered rear surface of the superabrasive element, wherein the interface is configured to define a gap between the liner and the chamfered rear surface of the superabrasive element.
12. The leaching assembly of claim 11 , wherein the interface comprises a cross-sectional shape that gradually decreases in size as the interface extends from the side wall to the rear wall of the liner.
13. The leaching assembly of claim 11 , wherein the protective leaching cup further comprises a seal region having a reduced diameter, the seal region configured to contact the superabrasive element when the superabrasive element is inserted into the protective leaching cup.
14. The leaching assembly of claim 11 , wherein the interface exhibits a rounded shape.
15. The leaching assembly of claim 11 , wherein the interface defines a seal with the superabrasive element to at least partially isolate the chamfered rear surface of the superabrasive element from a leaching agent supplied in a leaching process.
16. A method of processing a polycrystalline diamond element, the method comprising:
inserting a portion of a polycrystalline diamond element in a protective leaching cup having a liner that is disposed between the polycrystalline diamond element and the protective leaching cup;
positioning the polycrystalline diamond element in the liner such that a tapered rearward edge of the liner at least partially conforms to a chamfered rear surface of the polycrystalline diamond element, the tapered rearward edge of the liner exhibiting an arcuate cross section; and
exposing at least a portion of the polycrystalline diamond element to a leaching agent.
17. A method of processing a polycrystalline diamond element, the method comprising:
inserting a portion of a polycrystalline diamond element in a protective leaching cup having a liner that is disposed between the polycrystalline diamond element and the protective leaching cup, the liner at least partially conforming to a chamfered rear surface of the polycrystalline diamond element;
exposing at least a portion of the polycrystalline diamond element to a leaching agent; and
defining a gap between the liner and the chamfered rear surface of the polycrystalline diamond element.
18. The method of claim 17 , further comprising defining the gap to comprise an annular gap between the liner and a chamfer of a substrate of the polycrystalline diamond element.
19. The method of claim 17 , further comprising positioning the polycrystalline diamond element in the liner such that a tapered rearward edge of the liner conforms to the chamfered rear surface of the polycrystalline diamond element.
20. The method of claim 19 , further comprising selecting the tapered rearward edge of the liner to exhibit an arcuate cross section.