[T15] Hard Materials

[16F-T15-06] Drilling Diamond Impregnated Bits Manufactured by Liquid Phase Sintering

C. Luno-Bilbao^{1, 2}, N. G. Polvorosa^{1, 3}, *. Iturriza^{1, 2} (1.CEIT-BRTA, Spain, 2.Universidad de Navarra, Tecnun, Spain, 3.HILTI, Liechtenstein)

Keywords:Diamond impregnated tools, drill bits, liquid phase sintering, wettability, wear-resistant components

Diamond Impregnated Bits for drilling are traditionally produced by infiltration. High wear resistance and cutting-ability are required in Oil&Gas drilling and Geological prospecting. Consequently, diamond impregnated bits are produced with high diamond concentration and large volume fraction of wear-resistant phases, most of the time by infiltration, but also by Hot-Pressing. In the present work, liquid phase sintering (LPS) has been considered as a cheaper alternative to infiltration processes. The LPS system investigated was computer aided designed with permanent liquid phase and rearrangement was selected as main densification mechanism. Binder phases were tested looking for high density and strength and the stability of the diamond particles and different types of tungsten carbides involved. Bonds with excellent sintering behavior were characterized; hardness, microstructure, abrasive wear resistance, and interaction with diamonds were studied. Densities higher than 98 %TD, correct wetting of the diamond particles with limited degradation and high wear resistance were obtained.