DIAMOND-ENHANCED CUTTING ELEMENTS, EARTH-BORING TOOLS EMPLOYING DIAMOND-ENHANCED CUTTING ELEMENTS, AND METHODS OF MAKING DIAMOND-ENHANCED CUTTING ELEMENTS

摘要

Cutting elements for use in earth-boring applications include a substrate, a transition layer, and a working layer. The transition layer and the working layer comprise a continuous matrix phase and a discontinuous diamond phase dispersed throughout the matrix phase. The concentration of diamond in the working layer is higher than in the transition layer. Earth-boring tools include at least one such cutting element. Methods of making cutting elements and earth-boring tools include mixing diamond crystals with matrix particles to form a mixture. The mixture is formulated in such a manner as cause the diamond crystals to comprise about 50% or more by volume of the solid matter in the mixture. The mixture is sintered to form a working layer of a cutting element that is at least substantially free of polycrystalline diamond material and that includes the diamond crystals dispersed within a continuous matrix phase formed from the matrix particles.