The present invention generally relates to earth-boring drill bits and other tools that may be used to drill subterranean formations, and to abrasive, wear-resistant hardfacing materials that may be used on surfaces of such earth-boring drill bits. The present invention also relates to methods for applying abrasive wear-resistant hardfacing materials to surfaces of earth-boring drill bits, and to methods for securing cutting elements to an earth-boring drill bit.
A typical fixed-cutter, or “drag,” rotary drill bit for drilling subterranean formations includes a bit body having a face region thereon carrying cutting elements for cutting into an earth formation. The bit body may be secured to a hardened steel shank having a threaded pin connection for attaching the drill bit to a drill string that includes tubular pipe segments coupled end to end between the drill bit and other drilling equipment. Equipment such as a rotary table or top drive may be used for rotating the tubular pipe and drill bit. Alternatively, the shank may be coupled directly to the drive shaft of a down-hole motor to rotate the drill bit.
Typically, the bit body of a drill bit is formed from steel or a combination of a steel blank embedded in a matrix material that includes hard particulate material, such as tungsten carbide, infiltrated with a binder material such as a copper alloy. A steel shank may be secured to the bit body after the bit body has been formed. Structural features may be provided at selected locations on and in the bit body to facilitate the drilling process. Such structural features may include, for example, radially and longitudinally extending blades, cutting element pockets, ridges, lands, nozzle displacements, and drilling fluid courses and passages. The cutting elements generally are secured within pockets that are machined into blades located on the face region of the bit body.
Generally, the cutting elements of a fixed-cutter type drill bit each include a cutting surface comprising a hard, super-abrasive material such as mutually bound particles of polycrystalline diamond. Such “polycrystalline diamond compact” (PDC) cutters have been employed on fixed-cutter rotary drill bits in the oil and gas well drilling industries for several decades.
A drill bit 10 may be used numerous times to perform successive drilling operations during which the surfaces of the bit body 12 and cutting elements 22 may be subjected to extreme forces and stresses as the cutting elements 22 of the drill bit 10 shear away the underlying earth formation. These extreme forces and stresses cause the cutting elements 22 and the surfaces of the bit body 12 to wear. Eventually, the cutting elements 22 and the surfaces of the bit body 12 may wear to an extent at which the drill bit 10 is no longer suitable for use.
The bonding material 24 typically is much less resistant to wear than are other portions and surfaces of the drill bit 10 and of cutting elements 22. During use, small vugs, voids and other defects may be formed in exposed surfaces of the bonding material 24 due to wear. Solids-laden drilling fluids and formation debris generated during the drilling process may further erode, abrade and enlarge the small vugs and voids in the bonding material 24. The entire cutting element 22 may separate from the drill bit body 12 during a drilling operation if enough bonding material 24 is removed. Loss of a cutting element 22 during a drilling operation can lead to rapid wear of other cutting elements and catastrophic failure of the entire drill bit 10. Therefore, there is a need in the art for an effective method for preventing the loss of cutting elements during drilling operations.
The materials of an ideal drill bit must be extremely hard to efficiently shear away the underlying earth formations without excessive wear. Due to the extreme forces and stresses to which drill bits are subjected during drilling operations, the materials of an ideal drill bit must simultaneously exhibit high fracture toughness. In practicality, however, materials that exhibit extremely high hardness tend to be relatively brittle and do not exhibit high fracture toughness, while materials exhibiting high fracture toughness tend to be relatively soft and do not exhibit high hardness. As a result, a compromise must be made between hardness and fracture toughness when selecting materials for use in drill bits.
In an effort to simultaneously improve both the hardness and fracture toughness of earth-boring drill bits, composite materials have been applied to the surfaces of drill bits that are subjected to extreme wear. These composite materials are often referred to as “hard-facing” materials and typically include at least one phase that exhibits relatively high hardness and another phase that exhibits relatively high fracture toughness.
Tungsten carbide particles 40 used in hard-facing materials may comprise one or more of cast tungsten carbide particles, sintered tungsten carbide particles, and macrocrystalline tungsten carbide particles. The tungsten carbide system includes two stoichiometric compounds, WC and W2C, with a continuous range of compositions therebetween. Cast tungsten carbide generally includes a eutectic mixture of the WC and W2C compounds. Sintered tungsten carbide particles include relatively smaller particles of WC bonded together by a matrix material. Cobalt and cobalt alloys are often used as matrix materials in sintered tungsten carbide particles. Sintered tungsten carbide particles can be formed by mixing together a first powder that includes the relatively smaller tungsten carbide particles and a second powder that includes cobalt particles. The powder mixture is formed in a “green” state. The green powder mixture then is sintered at a temperature near the melting temperature of the cobalt particles to form a matrix of cobalt material surrounding the tungsten carbide particles to form particles of sintered tungsten carbide. Finally, macrocrystalline tungsten carbide particles generally consist of single crystals of WC.
Various techniques known in the art may be used to apply a hard-facing material such as that represented in
Arc welding techniques also may be used to apply a hard-facing material to a surface of a drill bit. For example, a plasma-transferred arc may be established between an electrode and a region on a surface of a drill bit on which it is desired to apply a hard-facing material. A powder mixture including both particles of tungsten carbide and particles of matrix material then may be directed through or proximate the plasma transferred arc onto the region of the surface of the drill bit. The heat generated by the arc melts at least the particles of matrix material to form a weld pool on the surface of the drill bit, which subsequently solidifies to form the hard-facing material layer on the surface of the drill bit.
When a hard-facing material is applied to a surface of a drill bit, relatively high temperatures are used to melt at least the matrix material. At these relatively high temperatures, atomic diffusion may occur between the tungsten carbide particles and the matrix material. In other words, after applying the hard-facing material, at least some atoms originally contained in a tungsten carbide particle (tungsten and carbon for example) may be found in the matrix material surrounding the tungsten carbide particle. In addition, at least some atoms originally contained in the matrix material (iron for example) may be found in the tungsten carbide particles.
Atomic diffusion between the tungsten carbide particle 40 and the matrix material 46 may embrittle the matrix material 46 in the region 47 surrounding the tungsten carbide particle 40 and reduce the hardness of the tungsten carbide particle 40 in the outer region 41 thereof, reducing the overall effectiveness of the hard-facing material. Therefore, there is a need in the art for abrasive wear-resistant hardfacing materials that include a matrix material that allows for atomic diffusion between tungsten carbide particles and the matrix material to be minimized. There is also a need in the art for methods of applying such abrasive wear-resistant hardfacing materials, and for drill bits and drilling tools that include such materials.
In one aspect, the present invention includes an abrasive wear-resistant material that includes a matrix material, a plurality of −20 ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) mesh sintered tungsten carbide pellets, and a plurality of −100 ASTM mesh sintered tungsten carbide pellets. The tungsten carbide pellets are substantially randomly dispersed throughout the matrix material. The matrix material includes at least 75% nickel by weight and has a melting point of less than about 1100° C. Each sintered tungsten pellet includes a plurality of tungsten carbide particles bonded together with a binder alloy having a melting point greater than about 1200° C. In pre-application ratios, the matrix material comprises between about 30% and about 50% by weight of the abrasive wear resistant material, the plurality of sintered tungsten carbide pellets comprises between about 30% and about 55% by weight of the abrasive wear resistant material, and the plurality of cast tungsten carbide pellets comprises between about 15% and about 35% by weight of the abrasive wear resistant material.
In another aspect, the present invention includes a device for use in drilling subterranean formations. The device includes a first structure, a second structure secured to the structure along an interface, and a bonding material disposed between the first structure and the second structure at the interface. The bonding material secures the first and second structures together. The device further includes an abrasive wear-resistant material disposed on a surface of the device. At least a continuous portion of the wear-resistant material is bonded to a surface of the first structure and a surface of the second structure. The continuous portion of the wear-resistant material extends at least over the interface between the first structure and the second structure and covers the bonding material. The abrasive wear-resistant material includes a matrix material having a melting temperature of less than about 1100° C., a plurality of sintered tungsten carbide pellets substantially randomly dispersed throughout the matrix material, and a plurality of cast tungsten carbide pellets substantially randomly dispersed throughout the matrix material.
In an additional aspect, the present invention includes a rotary drill bit for drilling subterranean formations that includes a bit body and at least one cutting element secured to the bit body along an interface. As used herein, the term “drill bit” includes and encompasses drilling tools of any configuration, including core bits, eccentric bits, bicenter bits, reamers, mills, drag bits, roller cone bits, and other such structures known in the art. A brazing alloy is disposed between the bit body and the at least one cutting element at the interface and secures the at least one cutting element to the bit body. An abrasive wear-resistant material includes, in pre-application ratios, a matrix material that comprises between about 30% and about 50% by weight of the abrasive wear-resistant material, a plurality of −20 ASTM mesh sintered tungsten carbide pellets that comprises between about 30% and about 55% by weight of the abrasive wear-resistant material, and a plurality of −100 ASTM mesh cast tungsten carbide pellets that comprises between about 15% and about 35% by weight of the abrasive wear-resistant material. The tungsten carbide pellets are substantially randomly dispersed throughout the matrix material. The matrix material includes at least 75% nickel by weight and has a melting point of less than about 1100° C. Each sintered tungsten pellet includes a plurality of tungsten carbide particles bonded together with a binder alloy having a melting point greater than about 1200° C.
In yet another aspect, the present invention includes a method for applying an abrasive wear-resistant material to a surface of a drill bit for drilling subterranean formations. The method includes providing a drill bit including a bit body having an outer surface, mixing a plurality of −20 ASTM mesh sintered tungsten carbide pellets and a plurality of −100 ASTM mesh cast tungsten carbide pellets in a matrix material to provide a pre-application abrasive wear resistant material, and melting the matrix material. The molten matrix material, at least some of the sintered tungsten carbide pellets, and at least some of the cast tungsten carbide pellets are applied to at least a portion of the outer surface of the drill bit, and the molten matrix material is solidified. The matrix material includes at least 75% nickel by weight and has a melting point of less than about 1100° C. Each sintered tungsten pellet includes a plurality of tungsten carbide particles bonded together with a binder alloy having a melting point greater than about 1200° C. The matrix material comprises between about 30% and about 50% by weight of the pre-application abrasive wear-resistant material, the plurality of sintered tungsten carbide pellets comprises between about 30% and about 55% by weight of the pre-application abrasive wear-resistant material, and the plurality of cast tungsten carbide pellets comprises between about 15% and about 35% by weight of the pre-application abrasive wear-resistant material.
In another aspect, the present invention includes a method for securing a cutting element to a bit body of a rotary drill bit. The method includes providing a rotary drill bit including a bit body having an outer surface including a pocket therein that is configured to receive a cutting element, and positioning a cutting element within the pocket. A brazing alloy is provided, melted, and applied to adjacent surfaces of the cutting element and the outer surface of the bit body within the pocket defining an interface therebetween and solidified. An abrasive wear-resistant material is applied to a surface of the drill bit. At least a continuous portion of the abrasive wear-resistant material is bonded to a surface of the cutting element and a portion of the outer surface of the bit body. The continuous portion extends over at least the interface between the cutting element and the outer surface of the bit body and covers the brazing alloy. In pre-application ratios, the abrasive wear resistant material comprises a matrix material, a plurality of sintered tungsten carbide pellets, and a plurality of cast tungsten carbide pellets. The matrix material includes at least 75% nickel by weight and has a melting point of less than about 1100° C. The tungsten carbide pellets are substantially randomly dispersed throughout the matrix material. Furthermore, each sintered tungsten pellet includes a plurality of tungsten carbide particles bonded together with a binder alloy having a melting point greater than about 1200° C.
The features, advantages, and alternative aspects of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from a consideration of the following detailed description considered in combination with the accompanying drawings.
While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming that which is regarded as the present invention, the advantages of this invention may be more readily ascertained from the following description of the invention when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
The illustrations presented herein, with the exception of
Corners, sharp edges, and angular projections may produce residual stresses, which may cause tungsten carbide material in the regions of the particles proximate the residual stresses to melt at lower temperatures during application of the abrasive wear-resistant material 54 to a surface of a drill bit. Melting or partial melting of the tungsten carbide material during application may facilitate atomic diffusion between the tungsten carbide particles and the surrounding matrix material. As previously discussed herein, atomic diffusion between the matrix material 60 and the sintered tungsten carbide pellets 56 and cast tungsten carbide pellets 58 may embrittle the matrix material 60 in regions surrounding the tungsten carbide pellets 56, 58 and reduce the hardness of the tungsten carbide pellets 56, 58 in the outer regions thereof. Such atomic diffusion may degrade the overall physical properties of the abrasive wear-resistant material 54. The use of sintered tungsten carbide pellets 56 and cast tungsten carbide pellets 58 instead of conventional tungsten carbide particles that include corners, sharp edges, and angular projections may reduce such atomic diffusion, thereby preserving the physical properties of the matrix material 60, the sintered tungsten carbide pellets 56, and the cast tungsten carbide pellets 58 during application of the abrasive wear-resistant material 54 to the surfaces of drill bits and other tools.
The matrix material 60 may comprise between about 30% and about 50% by weight of the abrasive wear-resistant material 54. More particularly, the matrix material 60 may comprise between about 30% and about 35% by weight of the abrasive wear-resistant material 54. The plurality of sintered tungsten carbide pellets 56 may comprise between about 30% and about 55% by weight of the abrasive wear-resistant material 54. Furthermore, the plurality of cast tungsten carbide pellets 58 may comprise between about 15% and about 35% by weight of the abrasive wear-resistant material 54. For example, the matrix material 60 may be about 30% by weight of the abrasive wear-resistant material 54, the plurality of sintered tungsten carbide pellets 56 may be about 50% by weight of the abrasive wear-resistant material 54, and the plurality of cast tungsten carbide pellets 58 may be about 20% by weight of the abrasive wear-resistant material 54.
The sintered tungsten carbide pellets 56 may be larger in size than the cast tungsten carbide pellets 58. Furthermore, the number of cast tungsten carbide pellets 56 per unit volume of the abrasive wear-resistant material 54 may be higher than the number of sintered tungsten carbide pellets 58 per unit volume of the abrasive wear-resistant material 54.
The sintered tungsten carbide pellets 56 may include −20 ASTM mesh pellets. As used herein, the phrase “−20 ASTM mesh pellets” means pellets that are capable of passing through an ASTM 20 mesh screen. Such sintered tungsten carbide pellets may have an average diameter of less than about 850 microns. The average diameter of the sintered tungsten carbide pellets 56 may be between about 1.1 times and about 5 times greater than the average diameter of the cast tungsten carbide pellets 58. The cast tungsten carbide pellets 58 may include −100 ASTM mesh pellets. As used herein, the phrase “−100 ASTM mesh pellets” means pellets that are capable of passing through an ASTM 100 mesh screen. Such cast tungsten carbide pellets may have an average diameter of less than about 150 microns.
As an example, the sintered tungsten carbide pellets 56 may include −60/+80 ASTM mesh pellets, and the cast tungsten carbide pellets 58 may include −100/+270 ASTM mesh pellets. As used herein, the phrase “−60/+80 ASTM mesh pellets” means pellets that are capable of passing through an ASTM 60 mesh screen, but incapable of passing through an ASTM 80 mesh screen. Such sintered tungsten carbide pellets may have an average diameter of less than about 250 microns and greater than about 180 microns. Furthermore, the phrase “−100/+270 ASTM mesh pellets,” as used herein, means pellets capable of passing through an ASTM 100 mesh screen, but incapable of passing through an ASTM 270 mesh screen. Such cast tungsten carbide pellets 58 may have an average diameter in a range from approximately 50 microns to about 150 microns.
As another example, the plurality of sintered tungsten carbide pellets 56 may include a plurality of −60/+80 ASTM mesh sintered tungsten carbide pellets and a plurality of −120/+270 ASTM mesh sintered tungsten carbide pellets. The plurality of −60/+80 ASTM mesh sintered tungsten carbide pellets may comprise between about 30% and about 50% by weight of the abrasive wear-resistant material 54, and the plurality of −120/+270 ASTM mesh sintered tungsten carbide pellets may comprise between about 15% and about 20% by weight of the abrasive wear-resistant material 54. As used herein, the phrase “−120/+270 ASTM mesh pellets,” as used herein, means pellets capable of passing through an ASTM 120 mesh screen, but incapable of passing through an ASTM 270 mesh screen. Such cast tungsten carbide pellets 58 may have an average diameter in a range from approximately 50 microns to about 125 microns.
Cast and sintered pellets of carbides other than tungsten carbide also may be used to provide abrasive wear-resistant materials that embody teachings of the present invention. Such other carbides include, but are not limited to, chromium carbide, molybdenum carbide, niobium carbide, tantalum carbide, titanium carbide, and vanadium carbide.
The matrix material 60 may comprise a metal alloy material having a melting point that is less than about 1100° C. Furthermore, each sintered tungsten carbide pellet 56 of the plurality of sintered tungsten carbide pellets 56 may comprise a plurality of tungsten carbide particles bonded together with a binder alloy having a melting point that is greater than about 1200° C. For example, the binder alloy may comprise a cobalt-based metal alloy material or a nickel-based alloy material having a melting point that is greater than about 1200° C. In this configuration, the matrix material 60 may be substantially melted during application of the abrasive wear-resistant material 54 to a surface of a drilling tool such as a drill bit without substantially melting the cast tungsten carbide pellets 58, or the binder alloy or the tungsten carbide particles of the sintered tungsten carbide pellets 56. This enables the abrasive wear-resistant material 54 to be applied to a surface of a drilling tool at lower temperatures to minimize atomic diffusion between the sintered tungsten carbide pellets 56 and the matrix material 60 and between the cast tungsten carbide pellets 58 and the matrix material 60.
As previously discussed herein, minimizing atomic diffusion between the matrix material 60 and the sintered tungsten carbide pellets 56 and cast tungsten carbide pellets 58, helps to preserve the chemical composition and the physical properties of the matrix material 60, the sintered tungsten carbide pellets 56, and the cast tungsten carbide pellets 58 during application of the abrasive wear-resistant material 54 to the surfaces of drill bits and other tools.
The matrix material 60 also may include relatively small amounts of other elements, such as carbon, chromium, silicon, boron, iron, and nickel. Furthermore, the matrix material 60 also may include a flux material such as silicomanganese, an alloying element such as niobium, and a binder such as a polymer material.
Commercially available metal alloy materials that may be used as the matrix material 60 in the abrasive wear-resistant material 54 are sold by Broco, Inc., of Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. under the trade names VERSALLOY® 40 and VERSALLOY® 50. Commercially available sintered tungsten carbide pellets 56 and cast tungsten carbide pellet 58 that may be used in the abrasive wear-resistant material 54 are sold by Sulzer Metco WOKA GmbH, of Barchfeld, Germany.
The sintered tungsten carbide pellets 56 may have relatively high fracture toughness relative to the cast tungsten carbide pellets 58, while the cast tungsten carbide pellets 58 may have relatively high hardness relative to the sintered tungsten carbide pellets 56. By using matrix materials 60 as described herein, the fracture toughness of the sintered tungsten carbide pellets 56 and the hardness of the cast tungsten carbide pellets 58 may be preserved in the abrasive wear-resistant material 54 during application of the abrasive wear-resistant material 54 to a drill bit or other drilling tool, thereby providing an abrasive wear-resistant material 54 that is improved relative to abrasive wear-resistant materials known in the art.
Abrasive wear-resistant materials that embody teachings of the present invention, such as the abrasive wear-resistant material 54 illustrated in
Certain locations on a surface of a drill bit may require relatively higher hardness, while other locations on the surface of the drill bit may require relatively higher fracture toughness. The relative weight percentages of the matrix material 60, the plurality of sintered tungsten carbide pellets 56, and the plurality of cast tungsten carbide pellets 58 may be selectively varied to provide an abrasive wear-resistant material 54 that exhibits physical properties tailored to a particular tool or to a particular area on a surface of a tool. For example, the surfaces of cutting teeth on a rolling cutter type drill bit may be subjected to relatively high impact forces in addition to frictional-type abrasive or grinding forces. Therefore, abrasive wear-resistant material 54 applied to the surfaces of the cutting teeth may include a higher weight percentage of sintered tungsten carbide pellets 56 in order to increase the fracture toughness of the abrasive wear-resistant material 54. In contrast, the gage surfaces of a drill bit may be subjected to relatively little impact force but relatively high frictional-type abrasive or grinding forces. Therefore, abrasive wear-resistant material 54 applied to the gage surfaces of a drill bit may include a higher weight percentage of cast tungsten carbide pellets 58 in order to increase the hardness of the abrasive wear-resistant material 54.
In addition to being applied to selected areas on surfaces of drill bits and drilling tools that are subjected to wear, the abrasive wear-resistant materials that embody teachings of the present invention may be used to protect structural features or materials of drill bits and drilling tools that are relatively more prone to wear.
A portion of a representative rotary drill bit 50 that embodies teachings of the present invention is shown in
The rotary drill bit 50 further includes an abrasive wear-resistant material 54 disposed on a surface of the drill bit 50. Moreover, regions of the abrasive wear-resistant material 54 may be configured to protect exposed surfaces of the bonding material 24.
In this configuration, the continuous portions of the abrasive wear-resistant material 54 may cover and protect at least a portion of the bonding material 24 disposed between the cutting element 22 and the bit body 12 from wear during drilling operations. By protecting the bonding material 24 from wear during drilling operations, the abrasive wear-resistant material 54 helps to prevent separation of the cutting element 22 from the bit body 12 during drilling operations, damage to the bit body 12, and catastrophic failure of the rotary drill bit 50.
The continuous portions of the abrasive wear-resistant material 54 that cover and protect exposed surfaces of the bonding material 24 may be configured as a bead or beads of abrasive wear-resistant material 54 provided along and over the edges of the interfacing surfaces of the bit body 12 and the cutting element 22.
A lateral cross-sectional view of a cutting element 22 of another representative rotary drill bit 50′ that embodies teachings of the present invention is shown in
As illustrated in
The abrasive wear-resistant material 54 may be used to cover and protect interfaces between any two structures or features of a drill bit or other drilling tool. For example, the interface between a bit body and a periphery of wear knots or any type of insert in the bit body. In addition, the abrasive wear-resistant material 54 is not limited to use at interfaces between structures or features and may be used at any location on any surface of a drill bit or drilling tool that is subjected to wear.
Abrasive wear-resistant materials that embody teachings of the present invention, such as the abrasive wear-resistant material 54, may be applied to the selected surfaces of a drill bit or drilling tool using variations of techniques known in the art. For example, a pre-application abrasive wear-resistant material that embodies teachings of the present invention may be provided in the form of a welding rod. The welding rod may comprise a solid cast or extruded rod consisting of the abrasive wear-resistant material 54. Alternatively, the welding rod may comprise a hollow cylindrical tube formed from the matrix material 60 and filled with a plurality of sintered tungsten carbide pellets 56 and a plurality of cast tungsten carbide pellets 58. An oxyacetylene torch or any other type of welding torch may be used to heat at least a portion of the welding rod to a temperature above the melting point of the matrix material 60 and less than about 1200° C. to melt the matrix material 60. This may minimize the extent of atomic diffusion occurring between the matrix material 60 and the sintered tungsten carbide pellets 56 and cast tungsten carbide pellets 58.
The rate of atomic diffusion occurring between the matrix material 60 and the sintered tungsten carbide pellets 56 and cast tungsten carbide pellets 58 is at least partially a function of the temperature at which atomic diffusion occurs. The extent of atomic diffusion, therefore, is at least partially a function of both the temperature at which atomic diffusion occurs and the time for which atomic diffusion is allowed to occur. Therefore, the extent of atomic diffusion occurring between the matrix material 60 and the sintered tungsten carbide pellets 56 and cast tungsten carbide pellets 58 may be controlled by controlling the distance between the torch and the welding rod (or pre-application abrasive wear-resistant material), and the time for which the welding rod is subjected to heat produced by the torch.
Oxyacetylene and atomic hydrogen torches may be capable of heating materials to temperatures in excess of 1200° C. It may be beneficial to slightly melt the surface of the drill bit or drilling tool to which the abrasive wear-resistant material 54 is to be applied just prior to applying the abrasive wear-resistant material 54 to the surface. For example, an oxyacetylene and atomic hydrogen torch may be brought in close proximity to a surface of a drill bit or drilling tool and used to heat to the surface to a sufficiently high temperature to slightly melt or “sweat” the surface. The welding rod comprising pre-application wear-resistant material then may be brought in close proximity to the surface and the distance between the torch and the welding rod may be adjusted to heat at least a portion of the welding rod to a temperature above the melting point of the matrix material 60 and less than about 1200° C. to melt the matrix material 60. The molten matrix material 60, at least some of the sintered tungsten carbide pellets 56, and at least some of the cast tungsten carbide pellets 58 may be applied to the surface of the drill bit, and the molten matrix material 60 may be solidified by controlled cooling. The rate of cooling may be controlled to control the microstructure and physical properties of the abrasive wear-resistant material 54.
Alternatively, the abrasive wear-resistant material 54 may be applied to a surface of a drill bit or drilling tool using an arc welding technique, such as a plasma transferred arc welding technique. For example, the matrix material 60 may be provided in the form of a powder (small particles of matrix material 60). A plurality of sintered tungsten carbide pellets 56 and a plurality of cast tungsten carbide pellets 58 may be mixed with the powdered matrix material 60 to provide a pre-application wear-resistant material in the faun of a powder mixture. A plasma transferred arc welding machine then may be used to heat at least a portion of the pre-application wear-resistant material to a temperature above the melting point of the matrix material 60 and less than about 1200° C. to melt the matrix material 60.
Plasma transferred arc welding machines typically include a non-consumable electrode that may be brought in close proximity to the substrate (drill bit or other drilling tool) to which material is to be applied. A plasma-forming gas is provided between the substrate and the non-consumable electrode, typically in the form a column of flowing gas. An arc is generated between the electrode and the substrate to generate a plasma in the plasma-forming gas. The powdered pre-application wear-resistant material may be directed through the plasma and onto a surface of the substrate using an inert carrier gas. As the powdered pre-application wear-resistant material passes through the plasma it is heated to a temperature at which at least some of the wear-resistant material will melt. Once the at least partially molten wear-resistant material has been deposited on the surface of the substrate, the wear-resistant material is allowed to solidify. Such plasma transferred arc welding machines are known in the art and commercially available.
The temperature to which the pre-application wear-resistant material is heated as the material passes through the plasma may be at least partially controlled by controlling the current passing between the electrode and the substrate. For example, the current may be pulsed at a selected pulse rate between a high current and a low current. The low current may be selected to be sufficiently high to melt at least the matrix material 60 in the pre-application wear-resistant material, and the high current may be sufficiently high to melt or sweat the surface of the substrate. Alternatively, the low current may be selected to be too low to melt any of the pre-application wear-resistant material, and the high current may be sufficiently high to heat at least a portion of the pre-application wear-resistant material to a temperature above the melting point of the matrix material 60 and less than about 1200° C. to melt the matrix material 60. This may minimize the extent of atomic diffusion occurring between the matrix material 60 and the sintered tungsten carbide pellets 56 and cast tungsten carbide pellets 58.
Other welding techniques, such as metal inert gas (MIG) arc welding techniques, tungsten inert gas (TIG) arc welding techniques, and flame spray welding techniques are known in the art and may be used to apply the abrasive wear-resistant material 54 to a surface of a drill bit or drilling tool.
While the present invention has been described herein with respect to certain preferred embodiments, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize and appreciate that it is not so limited. Rather, many additions, deletions and modifications to the preferred embodiments may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed. In addition, features from one embodiment may be combined with features of another embodiment while still being encompassed within the scope of the invention as contemplated by the inventors. Further, the invention has utility in drill bits and core bits having different and various bit profiles as well as cutter types.
This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/350,761,filed Jan. 8, 2009, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,758,462, issued Jun. 24, 2014, which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/223,215, filed Sep. 9, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,597,159, issued Oct. 6, 2009, the disclosure of each of which is incorporated in its entirety by reference herein.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
2033594 | Stoody | Mar 1936 | A |
2407642 | Ashworth | Sep 1946 | A |
2660405 | Scott et al. | Nov 1953 | A |
2740651 | Ortloff | Apr 1956 | A |
2819958 | Abkowitz et al. | Jan 1958 | A |
2819959 | Abkowitz et al. | Jan 1958 | A |
2906654 | Abkowitz | Sep 1959 | A |
2961312 | Elbaum | Nov 1960 | A |
3158214 | Wisler et al. | Nov 1964 | A |
3180440 | Bridwell | Apr 1965 | A |
3260579 | Scales et al. | Jul 1966 | A |
3368881 | Abkowitz et al. | Feb 1968 | A |
3471921 | Feenstra | Oct 1969 | A |
3660050 | Iler et al. | May 1972 | A |
3727704 | Abplanalp | Apr 1973 | A |
3757879 | Wilder et al. | Sep 1973 | A |
3768984 | Foster, Jr. | Oct 1973 | A |
3790353 | Jackson et al. | Feb 1974 | A |
3800891 | White et al. | Apr 1974 | A |
3868235 | Held | Feb 1975 | A |
3942954 | Frehn | Mar 1976 | A |
3987859 | Lichte | Oct 1976 | A |
3989554 | Wisler | Nov 1976 | A |
4013453 | Patel | Mar 1977 | A |
4017480 | Baum | Apr 1977 | A |
4043611 | Wallace | Aug 1977 | A |
4047828 | Makely | Sep 1977 | A |
4059217 | Woodward | Nov 1977 | A |
4094709 | Rozmus | Jun 1978 | A |
4128136 | Generoux | Dec 1978 | A |
4173457 | Smith | Nov 1979 | A |
4198233 | Frehn | Apr 1980 | A |
4221270 | Vezirian | Sep 1980 | A |
4229638 | Lichte | Oct 1980 | A |
4233720 | Rozmus | Nov 1980 | A |
4243727 | Wisler et al. | Jan 1981 | A |
4252202 | Purser, Sr. | Feb 1981 | A |
4255165 | Dennis et al. | Mar 1981 | A |
4262761 | Crow | Apr 1981 | A |
4306139 | Shinozaki et al. | Dec 1981 | A |
4341557 | Lizenby | Jul 1982 | A |
4389952 | Dreier et al. | Jun 1983 | A |
4398952 | Drake | Aug 1983 | A |
4414029 | Newman et al. | Nov 1983 | A |
4455278 | van Nederveen et al. | Jun 1984 | A |
4499048 | Hanejko | Feb 1985 | A |
4499795 | Radtke | Feb 1985 | A |
4499958 | Radtke et al. | Feb 1985 | A |
4526748 | Rozmus | Jul 1985 | A |
4547337 | Rozmus | Oct 1985 | A |
4552232 | Frear | Nov 1985 | A |
4554130 | Ecer | Nov 1985 | A |
4562892 | Ecer | Jan 1986 | A |
4562990 | Rose | Jan 1986 | A |
4579713 | Lueth | Apr 1986 | A |
4596694 | Rozmus | Jun 1986 | A |
4597456 | Ecer | Jul 1986 | A |
4597730 | Rozmus | Jul 1986 | A |
4611673 | Childers et al. | Sep 1986 | A |
4630692 | Ecer | Dec 1986 | A |
4630693 | Goodfellow | Dec 1986 | A |
4656002 | Lizenby et al. | Apr 1987 | A |
4666797 | Newman et al. | May 1987 | A |
4667756 | King et al. | May 1987 | A |
4674802 | McKenna et al. | Jun 1987 | A |
4676124 | Fischer | Jun 1987 | A |
4686080 | Hara et al. | Aug 1987 | A |
4694919 | Barr | Sep 1987 | A |
4726432 | Scott et al. | Feb 1988 | A |
4743515 | Fischer et al. | May 1988 | A |
4744943 | Timm | May 1988 | A |
4762028 | Regan | Aug 1988 | A |
4781770 | Kar | Nov 1988 | A |
4809903 | Eylon et al. | Mar 1989 | A |
4814234 | Bird | Mar 1989 | A |
4836307 | Keshavan et al. | Jun 1989 | A |
4838366 | Jones | Jun 1989 | A |
4871377 | Frushour | Oct 1989 | A |
4884477 | Smith et al. | Dec 1989 | A |
4889017 | Fuller et al. | Dec 1989 | A |
4919013 | Smith et al. | Apr 1990 | A |
4923511 | Krizan et al. | May 1990 | A |
4923512 | Timm et al. | May 1990 | A |
4933240 | Barber, Jr. | Jun 1990 | A |
4938991 | Bird | Jul 1990 | A |
4944774 | Keshavan et al. | Jul 1990 | A |
4956012 | Jacobs et al. | Sep 1990 | A |
4968348 | Abkowitz et al. | Nov 1990 | A |
5000273 | Horton et al. | Mar 1991 | A |
5010225 | Carlin | Apr 1991 | A |
5030598 | Hsieh | Jul 1991 | A |
5032352 | Meeks et al. | Jul 1991 | A |
5038640 | Sullivan et al. | Aug 1991 | A |
5049450 | Dorfman et al. | Sep 1991 | A |
5051112 | Keshavan et al. | Sep 1991 | A |
5089182 | Findeisen et al. | Feb 1992 | A |
5090491 | Tibbitts et al. | Feb 1992 | A |
5101692 | Simpson | Apr 1992 | A |
5150636 | Hill | Sep 1992 | A |
5152194 | Keshavan et al. | Oct 1992 | A |
5161898 | Drake | Nov 1992 | A |
5186267 | White | Feb 1993 | A |
5232522 | Doktycz et al. | Aug 1993 | A |
5242017 | Hailey | Sep 1993 | A |
5250355 | Newman et al. | Oct 1993 | A |
5281260 | Kumar et al. | Jan 1994 | A |
5286685 | Schoennahl et al. | Feb 1994 | A |
5291807 | Vanderford et al. | Mar 1994 | A |
5311958 | Isbell et al. | May 1994 | A |
5328763 | Terry | Jul 1994 | A |
5348806 | Kojo et al. | Sep 1994 | A |
5373907 | Weaver | Dec 1994 | A |
5375759 | Hiraishi et al. | Dec 1994 | A |
5425288 | Evans | Jun 1995 | A |
5433280 | Smith | Jul 1995 | A |
5439068 | Huffstutler et al. | Aug 1995 | A |
5443337 | Katayama | Aug 1995 | A |
5479997 | Scott et al. | Jan 1996 | A |
5482670 | Hong | Jan 1996 | A |
5484468 | Ostlund et al. | Jan 1996 | A |
5492186 | Overstreet et al. | Feb 1996 | A |
5506055 | Dorfman et al. | Apr 1996 | A |
5535838 | Keshavan et al. | Jul 1996 | A |
5543235 | Mirchandani et al. | Aug 1996 | A |
5544550 | Smith | Aug 1996 | A |
5560440 | Tibbitts | Oct 1996 | A |
5586612 | Isbell et al. | Dec 1996 | A |
5589268 | Kelley et al. | Dec 1996 | A |
5593474 | Keshavan et al. | Jan 1997 | A |
5611251 | Katayama | Mar 1997 | A |
5612264 | Nilsson et al. | Mar 1997 | A |
5641251 | Leins et al. | Jun 1997 | A |
5641921 | Dennis et al. | Jun 1997 | A |
5653299 | Sreshta et al. | Aug 1997 | A |
5662183 | Fang | Sep 1997 | A |
5663512 | Schader et al. | Sep 1997 | A |
5666864 | Tibbitts | Sep 1997 | A |
5667903 | Boyce | Sep 1997 | A |
5677042 | Massa et al. | Oct 1997 | A |
5679445 | Massa et al. | Oct 1997 | A |
5697046 | Conley | Dec 1997 | A |
5697462 | Grimes et al. | Dec 1997 | A |
5732783 | Truax et al. | Mar 1998 | A |
5733649 | Kelley et al. | Mar 1998 | A |
5733664 | Kelley et al. | Mar 1998 | A |
5740872 | Smith | Apr 1998 | A |
5753160 | Takeuchi et al. | May 1998 | A |
5755298 | Langford, Jr. et al. | May 1998 | A |
5765095 | Flak et al. | Jun 1998 | A |
5776593 | Massa et al. | Jul 1998 | A |
5778301 | Hong | Jul 1998 | A |
5789686 | Massa et al. | Aug 1998 | A |
5791422 | Liang et al. | Aug 1998 | A |
5791423 | Overstreet et al. | Aug 1998 | A |
5792403 | Massa et al. | Aug 1998 | A |
5806934 | Massa et al. | Sep 1998 | A |
5830256 | Northrop et al. | Nov 1998 | A |
5856626 | Fischer et al. | Jan 1999 | A |
5865571 | Tankala et al. | Feb 1999 | A |
5880382 | Fang et al. | Mar 1999 | A |
5893204 | Symonds | Apr 1999 | A |
5896940 | Pietrobelli et al. | Apr 1999 | A |
5897830 | Abkowitz et al. | Apr 1999 | A |
5904212 | Arfele | May 1999 | A |
5921330 | Sue et al. | Jul 1999 | A |
5924502 | Arfele et al. | Jul 1999 | A |
5954147 | Overstreet | Sep 1999 | A |
5957006 | Smith | Sep 1999 | A |
5963775 | Fang | Oct 1999 | A |
5967248 | Drake et al. | Oct 1999 | A |
5988302 | Sreshta et al. | Nov 1999 | A |
5988303 | Arfele | Nov 1999 | A |
6009961 | Pietrobelli et al. | Jan 2000 | A |
6029544 | Katayama | Feb 2000 | A |
6045750 | Drake et al. | Apr 2000 | A |
6051171 | Takeuchi et al. | Apr 2000 | A |
6063333 | Dennis | May 2000 | A |
6068070 | Scott | May 2000 | A |
6073518 | Chow et al. | Jun 2000 | A |
6086980 | Foster et al. | Jul 2000 | A |
6089123 | Chow et al. | Jul 2000 | A |
6099664 | Davies et al. | Aug 2000 | A |
6124564 | Sue et al. | Sep 2000 | A |
6131677 | Arfele et al. | Oct 2000 | A |
6148936 | Evans et al. | Nov 2000 | A |
6196338 | Slaughter et al. | Mar 2001 | B1 |
6200514 | Meister | Mar 2001 | B1 |
6206115 | Overstreet et al. | Mar 2001 | B1 |
RE37127 | Schader et al. | Apr 2001 | E |
6209420 | Butcher et al. | Apr 2001 | B1 |
6214134 | Eylon et al. | Apr 2001 | B1 |
6214287 | Waldenström | Apr 2001 | B1 |
6220117 | Butcher | Apr 2001 | B1 |
6227188 | Tankala et al. | May 2001 | B1 |
6228139 | Oskarsson | May 2001 | B1 |
6234261 | Evans et al. | May 2001 | B1 |
6241036 | Lovato et al. | Jun 2001 | B1 |
6248149 | Massey et al. | Jun 2001 | B1 |
6254658 | Taniuchi et al. | Jul 2001 | B1 |
6287360 | Kembaiyan et al. | Sep 2001 | B1 |
6290438 | Papajewski | Sep 2001 | B1 |
6293986 | Rödiger et al. | Sep 2001 | B1 |
6348110 | Evans | Feb 2002 | B1 |
6349780 | Beuershausen | Feb 2002 | B1 |
6360832 | Overstreet et al. | Mar 2002 | B1 |
6375706 | Kembaiyan et al. | Apr 2002 | B2 |
6450271 | Tibbitts | Sep 2002 | B1 |
6453899 | Tselesin | Sep 2002 | B1 |
6454025 | Runquist et al. | Sep 2002 | B1 |
6454028 | Evans | Sep 2002 | B1 |
6454030 | Findley et al. | Sep 2002 | B1 |
6458471 | Lovato et al. | Oct 2002 | B2 |
6474425 | Truax et al. | Nov 2002 | B1 |
6500226 | Dennis | Dec 2002 | B1 |
6511265 | Mirchandani et al. | Jan 2003 | B1 |
6568491 | Matthews, III et al. | May 2003 | B1 |
6575350 | Evans et al. | Jun 2003 | B2 |
6576182 | Ravagni et al. | Jun 2003 | B1 |
6589640 | Griffin et al. | Jul 2003 | B2 |
6599467 | Yamaguchi et al. | Jul 2003 | B1 |
6607693 | Saito et al. | Aug 2003 | B1 |
6615936 | Mourik et al. | Sep 2003 | B1 |
6651756 | Costo, Jr. et al. | Nov 2003 | B1 |
6655481 | Findley | Dec 2003 | B2 |
6659206 | Liang et al. | Dec 2003 | B2 |
6663688 | Findeisen et al. | Dec 2003 | B2 |
6685880 | Engström et al. | Feb 2004 | B2 |
6725952 | Singh | Apr 2004 | B2 |
6742608 | Murdoch | Jun 2004 | B2 |
6742611 | Illerhaus et al. | Jun 2004 | B1 |
6756009 | Sim et al. | Jun 2004 | B2 |
6766870 | Overstreet | Jul 2004 | B2 |
6772849 | Oldham et al. | Aug 2004 | B2 |
6782958 | Liang et al. | Aug 2004 | B2 |
6849231 | Kojima | Feb 2005 | B2 |
6861612 | Bolton et al. | Mar 2005 | B2 |
6918942 | Hatta et al. | Jul 2005 | B2 |
6948403 | Singh | Sep 2005 | B2 |
6984454 | Majagi | Jan 2006 | B2 |
7044243 | Kembaiyan et al. | May 2006 | B2 |
7048081 | Smith et al. | May 2006 | B2 |
7240746 | Overstreet et al. | Jul 2007 | B2 |
7537159 | Mugica et al. | May 2009 | B2 |
7597159 | Overstreet | Oct 2009 | B2 |
7644786 | Lockstedt et al. | Jan 2010 | B2 |
7703555 | Overstreet | Apr 2010 | B2 |
7776256 | Smith | Aug 2010 | B2 |
7997359 | Eason et al. | Aug 2011 | B2 |
8388723 | Overstreet | Mar 2013 | B2 |
20010015290 | Sue et al. | Aug 2001 | A1 |
20010017224 | Evans et al. | Aug 2001 | A1 |
20020004105 | Kunze et al. | Jan 2002 | A1 |
20030000339 | Findeisen et al. | Jan 2003 | A1 |
20030010409 | Kunze et al. | Jan 2003 | A1 |
20030079565 | Liang et al. | May 2003 | A1 |
20030079916 | Oldham et al. | May 2003 | A1 |
20040013558 | Kondoh et al. | Jan 2004 | A1 |
20040060742 | Kembaiyan et al. | Apr 2004 | A1 |
20040196638 | Lee et al. | Oct 2004 | A1 |
20040234821 | Majagi | Nov 2004 | A1 |
20040243241 | Istephanous et al. | Dec 2004 | A1 |
20040245022 | Izaguirre et al. | Dec 2004 | A1 |
20040245024 | Kembaiyan | Dec 2004 | A1 |
20050000317 | Liang et al. | Jan 2005 | A1 |
20050008524 | Testani | Jan 2005 | A1 |
20050072496 | Hwang et al. | Apr 2005 | A1 |
20050084407 | Myrick | Apr 2005 | A1 |
20050117984 | Eason et al. | Jun 2005 | A1 |
20050126334 | Mirchandani | Jun 2005 | A1 |
20050211475 | Mirchandani et al. | Sep 2005 | A1 |
20050247491 | Mirchandani et al. | Nov 2005 | A1 |
20050268746 | Abkowitz et al. | Dec 2005 | A1 |
20060016521 | Hanusiak et al. | Jan 2006 | A1 |
20060032677 | Azar et al. | Feb 2006 | A1 |
20060043648 | Takeuchi et al. | Mar 2006 | A1 |
20060057017 | Woodfield et al. | Mar 2006 | A1 |
20060131081 | Mirchandani et al. | Jun 2006 | A1 |
20060185908 | Kembaiyan et al. | Aug 2006 | A1 |
20070042217 | Fang et al. | Feb 2007 | A1 |
20070056776 | Overstreet et al. | Mar 2007 | A1 |
20070056777 | Overstreet | Mar 2007 | A1 |
20070102198 | Oxford et al. | May 2007 | A1 |
20070102199 | Smith et al. | May 2007 | A1 |
20070102200 | Choe et al. | May 2007 | A1 |
20070163812 | Overstreet et al. | Jul 2007 | A1 |
20070205023 | Hoffmaster et al. | Sep 2007 | A1 |
20080053709 | Lockstedt et al. | Mar 2008 | A1 |
20080073125 | Eason et al. | Mar 2008 | A1 |
20080083568 | Overstreet | Apr 2008 | A1 |
20080164070 | Keshavan et al. | Jul 2008 | A1 |
20090113811 | Overstreet | May 2009 | A1 |
20100000798 | Patel | Jan 2010 | A1 |
20100132265 | Overstreet | Jun 2010 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country |
---|---|---|
695583 | Aug 1998 | AU |
2212197 | Feb 1998 | CA |
1562550 | Jan 2005 | CN |
264674 | Apr 1988 | EP |
453428 | Oct 1991 | EP |
995876 | Apr 2000 | EP |
1244531 | Oct 2004 | EP |
945227 | Dec 1963 | GB |
1070039 | May 1967 | GB |
2104101 | Mar 1983 | GB |
2203774 | Oct 1988 | GB |
2295157 | May 1996 | GB |
2352727 | Feb 2001 | GB |
2357788 | Jul 2001 | GB |
2385350 | Aug 2003 | GB |
2393449 | Mar 2004 | GB |
10219385 | Aug 1998 | JP |
03049889 | Jun 2003 | WO |
2004053197 | Jun 2004 | WO |
2006099629 | Sep 2006 | WO |
2007030707 | Mar 2007 | WO |
Entry |
---|
US 4,966,627, 10/1990, Keshavan et al. (withdrawn). |
Boron Carbide Nozzles and Inserts, Seven Stars International webpage http://www.concentric.net/˜ctkang/nozzle.shtml, printed Sep. 7, 2006. |
“Heat Treating of Titanium and Titanium Alloys,” Key to Metals website article, www.key-to-metals.com, visited Sep. 21, 2006. |
Alman, D.E., et al., “The Abrasive Wear of Sintered Titanium Matrix-Ceramic Particle Reinforced Composites,” Wear, 225-229 (1999), pp. 629-639. |
B & W Metals, “Today we're more then just Kutrite © composite rods . . . much more!,” Houston, Texas, 2 pages, visited Jun. 12, 2008. |
B & W Metals, Kutrite, http://www.bwmetals.com,1 page , visited Jun. 12, 2008. |
Canadian Office Action for Canadian Application No. 2,621,421 dated Sep. 14, 2011, 3 pages. |
Choe, Heeman, et al., “Effect of Tungsten Additions on the Mechanical Properties of Ti-6A1-4V,” Material Science and Engineering, A 396 (2005), pp. 99-106, Elsevier. |
Diamond Innovations, “Composite Diamond Coatings, Superhard Protection of Wear Parts New Coating and Service Parts from Diamond Innovations” brochure, 2004. |
Gale, W.F., et al., Smithells Metals Reference Book, Eighth Edition, 2003, p. 2,117, Elsevier Butterworth Heinemann. |
Miserez, A., et al. “Particle Reinforced Metals of High Ceramic Content,” Material Science and Engineering A 387-389 (2004), pp. 822-831, Elsevier. |
PCT International Search Report for WO 2007/030707 A1 (PCT/US2006/035010), mailed Dec. 27, 2006 (3 pages). |
PCT International Search Report for WO 2008/027484 A1 (PCT/US2007/019085), mailed Jan. 31, 2008 (4 pages). |
PCT International Application Search Report for International Application No. PCT/US2009/048232 mailed Feb. 2, 2010, 5 pages. |
PCT International Search Report for PCT/US2007/021072, mailed Feb. 27, 2008. |
PCT International Search Report for counterpart PCT International Application No. PCT/US2007/023275, mailed Apr. 11, 2008. |
PCT International Search Report for PCT Counterpart Application No. PCT/US2006/043670, mailed Apr. 2, 2007. |
PCT International Search Report for PCT/US2007/021071, mailed Feb. 6, 2008. |
PCT International Search Report PCT Counterpart Application No. PCT/US2006/043669, mailed Apr. 13, 2007. |
PCT Written Opinion for counterpart PCT International Application No. PCT/US2007/023275, mailed Apr. 11, 2008. |
PCT Written Opinion for International Application No. PCT/US2006/035010, mailed Dec. 27, 2006. |
PCT Written Opinion for International Application No. PCT/US2007/019085, mailed Jan. 31, 2008. |
PCT Written Opinion for PCT Counterpart Application No. PCT/US2006/043670, mailed Apr. 2, 2007. |
PCT Written Opinion for PCT/US2007/021071, mailed Feb. 6, 2008. |
PCT Written Opinion for PCT/US2007/021072, mailed Feb. 27, 2008. |
PCT Written Opinion Report PCT Counterpart Application No. PCT/US2006/043669, mailed Apr. 13, 2007. |
PCT Written Opinion for International Application No. PCT/US2009/048232 mailed Feb. 2, 2010, 4 pages. |
Reed, James S., “Chapter 13: Particle Packing Characteristics,” Principles of Ceramics Processing, Second Edition, John Wiley & Sons, Inc. (1995), pp. 215-227. |
Smith International, Inc., Smith Bits Product Catalog 2005-2006, p. 45. |
Wall Colmonoy “Colmonoy Alloy Selector Chart” 2003, pp. 1 and 2. |
Warrier, S.G., et al., “Infiltration of Titanium Alloy-Matrix Composites,” Journal of Materials Science Letters, 12 (1993), pp. 865-868, Chapman & Hall. |
www.matweb.com “Wall Comonoy Colmonoy 4 Hard-surfacing alloy with chromium boride” from www.matweb.com, 1 page, printed Mar. 19, 2009. |
Zhou et al., Laser Melted Alloys and WC Composite Coating and its Applications, Sichuan Binggong Xuebao (1998), 19(2), 20-22. |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
20140284116 A1 | Sep 2014 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
Parent | 12350761 | Jan 2009 | US |
Child | 14296129 | US | |
Parent | 11223215 | Sep 2005 | US |
Child | 12350761 | US |