Abstract: A cutting element for engaging earthern formations having a wear surface formed from a low coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) composition including a polycrystalline diamond or polycrystalline cubic boron nitride hard phase material and a ductile phase low CTE material formed from an alloy made of Co, Ni, Fe, C, and Mn. The hard phase material is bonded to one another by the ductile phase material to form the low CTE composition.

Abstract: A down hole drill bit is disclosed that includes a plurality of cutting elements mounted on a cutting structure. At least one of the plurality of cutting elements comprises a wear resistant material, the wear resistant material comprising coarse grains disposed in a binder matrix phase, wherein the binder matrix phase comprises nanoparticles uniformly dispersed therein.

Abstract: Low coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) cermet compositions of this invention generally comprise a hard phase material and a ductile phase formed from a binder alloy, wherein the binder alloy is specially designed having a CTE that is closely matched to the hard phase material. Hard phase materials used to form low CTE compositions of this invention are selected from the group of carbides consisting of W, Ti, Mo, Nb, V, Si, Hf, Ta, and Cr carbides. The binder alloy is formed from a mixture of metals selected from the group consisting of Co, Ni, Fe, W, Mo, Ti, Ta, V, Nb, C, B, Cr, and Mn. In a preferred embodiment, low CTE compositions comprises WC as the hard phase material, and a ductile phase binder alloy formed from a mixture of Fe, Co, and Ni.

Abstract: A cutting tool that includes at least one tungsten carbide cutting element disposed on a support, wherein at least one tungsten carbide cutting element has at least one localized region having a material property different from the remaining region, wherein the at least one localized region having a different material property is prepared by a method including determining at least one localized region needing a variation in a material property different from the remaining region; coating a portion of a surface of the at least one tungsten carbide cutting element with a refractory material such that a surface corresponding to the localized region is left uncoated; and treating the coated cutting element with a selected agent to diffuse the selected agent into the localized region is disclosed.

Abstract: A down hole drill bit that includes a plurality of cutting elements mounted on a cutting structure, wherein at least one of the plurality of cutting elements comprises a wear resistant material, the wear resistant material comprising coarse grains disposed in a binder matrix phase, wherein the binder matrix phase comprises nanoparticles dispersed therein is disclosed.

Abstract: Cutting elements offering increased toughness and thermal fatigue resistance can be formed of a wear resistant material having coarse grains disposed in a binder matrix with a binder content of at least about 18% by weight. The coarse grains include grains of at least one selected from the group of a transition metal carbide, a transition metal boride, and transition metal nitride. The binder content and coarse grain size may be selected to provide a Rockwell A hardness of at least about 75 Ra or a wear number of at least about 1.5.

Abstract: A hardfacing composition for a drill bit, including a carbide phase comprising from about 50% to about 75% by weight of the hardfacing composition of a combination of 16 to 40 mesh cemented tungsten carbide and 80 to 200 mesh super dense tungsten carbide cobalt particles, wherein about 5% to about 50% by weight of the carbide phase comprises the super dense tungsten carbide cobalt particles, and a binder alloy including about 25% to about 50% by weight of the hardfacing composition.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing drill bit inserts in which the inserts are finished in a centrifugal disc finishing machine. The centrifugal disc finishing machine comprises a configured surface rotating relative to a stationary receptacle, and the inserts may be finished with a mass of materials comprising at least one of a group of media, parts, detergent, and solution. Also, a method of increasing drill bit insert performance comprising accelerating a plurality of inserts in a high-energy finishing machine, wherein the acceleration results in a generally toroidal interaction between the inserts and at least one of the group comprising media, parts, detergent, and solution.

Abstract: A drill bit that includes a bit body formed from a matrix powder and at least one cutting element for engaging a formation, wherein the matrix powder included (a) stoichiometric tungsten carbide particles, (b) cemented tungsten carbide particles, and (c) cast tungsten carbide particles, and wherein after formation with the matrix powder, the bit has an erosion rate of less than 0.001 in/hr, a toughness of greater than 20 ksi(in0.5), and a transverse rupture strength of greater than 140 ksi is disclosed.

Abstract: Cutting elements offering increased toughness and thermal fatigue resistance can be formed of a wear resistant material having coarse grains disposed in a binder matrix with a binder content of at least about 18% by weight. The coarse grains include grains of at least one selected from the group of a transition metal carbide, a transition metal boride, and transition metal nitride. The binder content and coarse grain size may be selected to provide a Rockwell A hardness of at least about 75 Ra or a wear number of at least about 1.5.

Abstract: Fracture and wear resistant cutting elements are provided. Examples include a cutting element formed of a wear resistant material having a binder composition and a coarse grain size such that the portion of the cutting element formed of the wear resistant material has a fracture toughness of at least about 18 ksi(in)0.5 and a wear number of at least about 1.8. In a particular example, the wear resistant material has a fracture toughness of at least about 20 ksi(in)0.5. A down hole cutting tool incorporating such cutting elements is also provided.

Abstract: An insert for a rock bit that includes tungsten carbide particles, and a cobalt binder disposed around the particles, wherein a grain size of the tungsten carbide particles and a content of the cobalt binder are selected to provide a fracture toughness of at least about 18 ksi (in)0.5, a wear number of at least about 2, and a hardness of 85 to 87 Ra is disclosed.

Abstract: A drill bit that includes a bit body formed from a matrix powder and at least one cutting element for engaging a formation, wherein the matrix powder included (a) stoichiometric tungsten carbide particles, (b) cemented tungsten carbide particles, and (c) cast tungsten carbide particles, and wherein after formation with the matrix powder, the bit has an erosion rate of less than 0.001 in/hr, a toughness of greater than 20 ksi(in0.5), and a transverse rupture strength of greater than 140 ksi is disclosed.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing drill bit inserts in which the inserts are finished in a centrifugal disc finishing machine. The centrifugal disc finishing machine comprises a configured surface rotating relative to a stationary receptacle, and the inserts may be finished with a mass of materials comprising at least one of a group of media, parts, detergent, and solution. Also, a method of increasing drill bit insert performance comprising accelerating a plurality of inserts in a high-energy finishing machine, wherein the acceleration results in a generally toroidal interaction between the inserts and at least one of the group comprising media, parts, detergent, and solution.

Abstract: A cutting tool that includes at least one tungsten carbide cutting element disposed on a support, wherein at least one tungsten carbide cutting element has at least one localized region having a material property different from the remaining region, wherein the at least one localized region having a different material property is prepared by a method including determining at least one localized region needing a variation in a material property different from the remaining region; coating a portion of a surface of the at least one tungsten carbide cutting element with a refractory material such that a surface corresponding to the localized region is left uncoated; and treating the coated cutting element with a selected agent to diffuse the selected agent into the localized region is disclosed.

Abstract: An insert for a rock bit that includes tungsten carbide particles, and a cobalt binder disposed around the particles, wherein a grain size of the tungsten carbide particles and a content of the cobalt binder are selected to provide a fracture toughness of at least about 18 ksi (in)0.5, a wear number of at least about 2, and a hardness of 85 to 87 Ra is disclosed.

Abstract: A composite material includes a double cemented carbide and a coarse grain dopant, wherein the coarse grain is added in an amount sufficient to improve wear resistance of virgin double cemented carbide. The double cemented carbide may selected from the group of carbides consisting of W, Ti, Mo, Nb, V, Hf, Ta, and Cr carbides. The coarse grain dopant may also be at least one carbide selected from the group consisting of W, Ti, Mo, Nb, V, Hf, Ta, and Cr carbides. The coarse grain carbide may be between about 5% to about 90% by weight of the total carbide in the composite. Preferably, the coarse grain carbide is about 10% to about 50% by weight of the total carbide in the composite.

Abstract: An insert for a rock bit that includes tungsten carbide particles, and a cobalt binder disposed around the particles, wherein a grain size of the tungsten carbide particles and a content of the cobalt binder are selected to provide a fracture toughness of at least about 18 ksi (in)0.5, a wear number of at least about 2, and a hardness of 85 to 87 Ra is disclosed.

Abstract: Cutting elements having coarse grain substrates and ultra hard material layers are provided. The substrates are formed from coarse grain size particles of tungsten carbide. A method of forming such cutting elements and a drag bit incorporating such cutting elements are also provided.

Abstract: A hardfacing composition for a drill bit, including a carbide phase comprising from about 50% to about 75% by weight of the hardfacing composition of a combination of 16 to 40 mesh cemented tungsten carbide and 80 to 200 mesh super dense tungsten carbide cobalt particles, wherein about 5% to about 50% by weight of the carbide phase comprises the super dense tungsten carbide cobalt particles, and a binder alloy including about 25% to about 50% by weight of the hardfacing composition.