초록 ▼

In one embodiment, composite constructions of the invention are in the form of a plurality of coated fibers bundled together to produce a fibrous composite construction in the form of a rod. Each fiber has a core formed from a hard phase material, that is surrounded by a shell formed from a binder p

In one embodiment, composite constructions of the invention are in the form of a plurality of coated fibers bundled together to produce a fibrous composite construction in the form of a rod. Each fiber has a core formed from a hard phase material, that is surrounded by a shell formed from a binder phase material. In another embodiment of the invention, monolithic sheets of the hard phase material and the binder phase material are stacked and arranged to produce a swirled composite in the form of a rod. In still another embodiment of the invention, sheets formed from coated fibers are arranged to produce a swirled composite. Inserts for use in such drilling applications as roller cone rock bits and percussion hammer bits, and shear cutters for use in such drilling applications as drag bits, that are manufactured using conventional methods from these composite constructions exhibit increased fracture toughness due to the continuous binder phase around the hard phase of the composites. These binder phases increase the overall fracture toughness of the composite by blunting or deflecting the tip of a propagating crack.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A composite construction comprising:a first structural phase comprising a hard material selected from the group consisting of cermet materials, polycrystalline diamond, polycrystalline cubic boron nitride, and mixtures thereof; anda second structural phase comprising a ma

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A composite construction comprising:a first structural phase comprising a hard material selected from the group consisting of cermet materials, polycrystalline diamond, polycrystalline cubic boron nitride, and mixtures thereof; anda second structural phase comprising a material that is different than that used to form the first structural phase, the second structural phase being in contact with at least a portion of the first structural phase;wherein the composite construction includes repeated structural units that each comprise an ordered microstructure of first and second structural phases; andwherein the repeated structural units are disposed across a working surface of the composite construction.