METHOD FOR FORMING A CUTTING ELEMENT AND DOWNHOLE TOOLS INCORPORATING THE SAME

Cutting elements include an ultrahard material body formed at high pressure and high temperature conditions in the absence of catalyzing material to provide a material microstructure comprising a matrix phase of bonded together ultrahard material particles and interstitial regions disposed throughout the matrix phase providing porosity of less than about 6 volume percent. The body may include a substrate attached thereto, and may include an infiltrant material disposed in a population of the interstitial regions. The body may have regions with different porosities, e.g., with a higher porosity region located adjacent a substrate interface and/or along a central region. The body may include more than one infiltrant, each located in different regions. The infiltrant may be introduced into the body during a separate high pressure/high temperature process. The body may include a region which extends a depth from a working surface that is substantially free of any infiltrant.