Element Six wins award for 3-D Percussive Diamond Inserts
February 17, 2014
Element Six, one of the world’s foremost producers of synthetic diamond and cubic boron nitride mining tools and components, and part of the DeBeers group, has received the Mining Magazine’s 2013 Exploration Award for its 3-D Percussive Diamond Inserts (PDI). Element Six was selected from three finalists within the Award’s Exploration category.
Element Six’s 3-D PCD inserts can drill up to 10 times longer than is possible with conventional tungsten carbide inserts, and have been shown to be suitable for drilling in a variety of rock types from sandstone to granite.
Element Six uses high pressure, high temperature (HPHT) synthesis to manufacture synthetic diamond and cubic boron nitride (CBN)
Launched in April 2013, the 3-D PDI uses proprietary polycrystalline diamond (PCD) technology to combine geometrical and material aspects to optimise the impact and wear resistance properties of the PCD dome. This technology was developed by Element Six’s engineers and materials scientists to deliver superior and reliable performance in aggressive formations under severe application conditions, as well as significantly increase penetration rates.
The De Beers Group reported a 1% increase in sales for 2013 to $33.063 billion and underlying profit up 6% to $6.62 billion.
