Abstract: A method of forming a composite article by injecting at least two composite materials comprising metal carbides into a mold to form a green compact is disclosed. The composite materials may be metal powders comprising a binder metal, a hard particle. The composite material may further comprise a plastic binder. The two different composite materials are injected into the mold to form the green compact. Additionally, the composite materials may be injected through a die before entering the mold. In a specific embodiment, the die forms at least one internal channel within the green compact.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include methods of producing a composite article. A method comprises introducing a first powdered metal grade from a feed shoe into a first portion of a cavity in a die and a second powdered metal grade from the feed shoe into a second portion of the cavity, wherein the first powder metal grade differs from the second powdered metal grade in chemical composition or particle size. Further methods are also provided. Embodiments of the present invention also comprise composite inserts for material removal operations. The composite inserts may comprise a first region and a second region, wherein the first region comprises a first composite material and the second region comprises a second composite material.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include composite articles comprising at least a first region and a second region and methods of making such articles. The first region may comprise a first composite material, wherein the first region comprises less than 5 wt. % cubic carbides by weight, and the second region may comprise a second composite material, wherein the second composite material differs from the first composite material in at least one characteristic. The composite article may additionally comprise at least one coolant channel. In certain embodiments, the first and second composite material may individually comprise hard particles in a binder, wherein the hard particles independently comprise at least one of a carbide, a nitride, a boride, a silicide, an oxide, and solid solutions thereof and the binder comprises at least one metal selected from cobalt, nickel, iron and alloys thereof.

Abstract: This invention relates to cutting inserts for earth boring bits comprising a cutting zone, wherein the cutting zone comprises first cemented hard particles and a body zone, wherein the body zone comprises second cemented hard particles. The first cemented hard particles may differ in at least one property from the second cemented hard particles. As used herein, the cemented hard particles means a material comprising hard particles in a binder. The hard particles may be at least one of a carbide, a nitride, a boride, a silicide, an oxide, and solid solutions thereof and the binder may be at least one metal selected from cobalt, nickel, iron and alloys of cobalt, nickel or iron.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for forming a bit body for an earth-boring bit. The bit body may comprise hard particles, wherein the hard particles comprise at least one carbide, nitride, boride, and oxide and solid solutions thereof, and a binder binding together the hard particles. The binder may comprise at least one metal selected from cobalt, nickel, and iron, and, optionally, at least one melting point reducing constituent selected from a transition metal carbide in the range of 30 to 60 weight percent, boron up to 10 weight percent, silicon up to 20 weight percent, chromium up to 20 weight percent, and manganese up to 25 weight percent, wherein the weight percentages are based on the total weight of the binder.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for forming a bit body for an earth-boring bit. The bit body may comprise hard particles, wherein the hard particles comprise at least one carbide, nitride, boride, and oxide and solid solutions thereof, and a binder binding together the hard particles. The binder may comprise at least one metal selected from cobalt, nickel, and iron, and at least one melting point reducing constituent selected from a transition metal carbide in the range of 30 to 60 weight percent, boron up to 10 weight percent, silicon up to 20 weight percent, chromium up to 20 weight percent, and manganese up to 25 weight percent, wherein the weight percentages are based on the total weight of the binder.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include hybrid composite materials comprising a cemented carbide dispersed phase and a cemented carbide continuous phase. The contiguity ratio of the dispersed phase of embodiments may be less than or equal to 0.48. The hybrid composite material may have a hardness of the dispersed phase that is greater than the hardness of the continuous phase. For example, in certain embodiments of the hybrid composite material, the hardness of the dispersed phase is greater than or equal to 88 HRA and less than or equal to 95 HRA and the hardness of the continuous phase is greater than or equal to 78 and less than or equal to 91 HRA. Additional embodiments may include hybrid composite materials comprising a first cemented carbide dispersed phase wherein the volume fraction of the dispersed phase is less than 50 volume percent and a second cemented carbide continuous phase, wherein the contiguity ratio of the dispersed phase is less than or equal to 1.