Superhard cutting structure having reduced surface roughness and bit for subterranean drilling so equipped
AssigneeBaker Hughes Incorporated
InventorsJeffrey B. Lund, Redd H. Smith, Trent N. Butcher
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A superhard cutting element having a polished, low friction, substantially planar cutting face with a surface finish roughness of 10 .mu.in. or less and preferably 0.5 .mu.in. or less. A chamfered cutting edge and side surface of the superhard material table of the same surface finish roughness are also disclosed. The surface roughness of the aforementioned superhard material table portions may be reduced by mechanically smoothing and polishing according to one of several variations of the method of the invention.
Claims38
A cutting structure for drilling subterranean formations, comprising:
- a substrate having an interface surface thereon;
- and
- a table of superhard material disposed on the interface surface and exhibiting a cutting surface including at least a portion having a polished finish.
A bit for drilling subterranean formations, comprising:
- a bit body having a shank secured thereto for connection of the bit to a drill string;
- a plurality of cutting structures carried by the bit body, at least one of the cutting structures comprising:
- a substrate having an interface surface thereon;
- and
- a table of superhard material disposed on the interface surface and exhibiting a cutting surface including at least a portion having a polished finish.
A cutting structure for drilling subterranean formations, comprising:
- a substrate having an interface surface thereon;
- and
- a table of superhard material disposed on the interface surface and exhibiting a cutting surface including at least a portion having a substantial mirror finish.
A bit for drilling subterranean formations, comprising:
- a bit body having a shank secured thereto for connection of the bit to a drill string;
- a plurality of cutting structures carried by the bit body, at least one of the cutting structures comprising:
- a substrate having an interface surface thereon;
- and
- a table of superhard material disposed on the interface surface and exhibiting a cutting surface including at least a portion having a substantial mirror finish.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.