Abstract: This disclosure relates to a percussive drill bit comprising PCD studs and a hard facing material that is strategically located to minimise stud pop outs and the amount of hard facing material used.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a method of producing a tool comprising a substrate and a hard-face coating metallurgically bonded to the substrate. The method comprises the steps of: providing a steel substrate; providing a composition of fully sintered granulate grains; and then applying the fully sintered granulate grains onto the substrate. The resultant cemented carbide material on the steel substrate comprises a specific composition and includes a metastable phase having a nanohardness of at least 12 GPa and a Palmqvist fracture toughness of below 7 MPa m½. The method includes heat-treating the hard-face coating to at least partially decompose the metastable phase, to increase the Palmqvist fracture toughness.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a percussive drill bit comprising PCD studs and a hard facing material that is strategically located to minimise stud pop outs and the amount of hard facing material used.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a cemented carbide article by additive manufacturing, and a granular material are disclosed. A precursor material is provided that comprises granules, the granules comprising carbide grains and a binder comprising any of cobalt, nickel and iron. Each granule has a density of at least 99.5% of the theoretical density and the granules of the precursor material have a mean compressive strength of at least 40 megapascals (MPa). An additive manufacturing process is used to manufacture the article by building up successive layers of material derived from the precursor material.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a cemented carbide article by additive manufacturing, and a granular material are disclosed. A precursor material is provided that comprises granules, the granules comprising carbide grains and a binder comprising any of cobalt, nickel and iron. Each granule has a density of at least 99.5% of the theoretical density and the granules of the precursor material have a mean compressive strength of at least 40 megapascals (MPa). An additive manufacturing process is used to manufacture the article by building up successive layers of material derived from the precursor material.