Metal-matrix diamond or cubic boron nitride composites
AssigneeSmith International, Inc.
InventorZhigang Fang
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A metal-matrix diamond or cubic boron nitride composite and method of making the same are disclosed. The metal-matrix/diamond composite includes grains of diamond uniformly distributed in a metal matrix. Alternatively, grains of cubic boron nitride may be used. Suitable metals for the metal matrix material may include nickel, cobalt, iron, and mixtures or alloys thereof. Other transition metals also may be used. The metal-matrix/diamond or metal-matrix/cubic boron nitride composite has high fracture toughness due to its fine microstructure. Such a metal-matrix/diamond or metal-matrix/cubic boron nitride composite is suitable for use in blanks or cutting elements for cutting tools, drill bits, dressing tools, and wear parts. It also may be used to make wire drawing dies.
Claims23
A method for manufacturing a super-hard composite material comprising:
- milling a super-hard component representing about 40%-85% of the volume of the super-hard composite material with a metal matrix component representing greater than 20% to about 60% of the volume of the super-hard composite material to achieve a uniform mixture;
- and
- compacting the uniform mixture to an actual density at least of 95% of the theoretical maximum density of the mixture, wherein the metal matrix component is selected from the group of nickel, iron, cobalt, molybdenum, tungsten, niobium, tantalum, vanadium, and alloys thereof.
A method for manufacturing a super-hard composite material comprising:
- milling a diamond component representing about 40%-85% of the volume of the super-hard composite material with a metal matrix component representing about 15%-60% of the volume of the super-hard composite material to achieve a uniform mixture;
- compacting the uniform mixture to an actual density at least of 95% of the theoretical maximum density of the mixture;
- and
- heat treating the diamond component in a hydrogen atmosphere.
A method for manufacturing a super-hard composite material comprising:
- milling a super-hard component representing about 40%-85% of the volume of the super-hard composite material with a metal matrix component representing about 15%-60% of the volume of the super-hard composite material to achieve a uniform mixture;
- compacting the uniform mixture to an actual density at least of 95% of the theoretical maximum density of the mixture;
- and
- coating the grains of the super-hard component with a layer of metal prior to the milling to reduce oxidation of the super-hard component.
A method for manufacturing a super-hard composite material comprising:
- milling a super-hard component representing about 40% to less than 75% of the volume of the super-hard composite material with a metal matrix component representing about 15%-60% of the volume of the super-hard composite material to achieve a uniform mixture;
- and
- compacting the uniform mixture to an actual density at least of 95% of the theoretical maximum density of the mixture, wherein the metal matrix component is selected from the group of nickel, iron, cobalt, molybdenum, tungsten, niobium, tantalum, vanadium, and alloys thereof.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.