Resistance to Abrasive Wear of Materials Used as Metallic Matrices in Diamond Impregnated Tools

Metal-bonded diamond impregnated tools are being increasingly used in the processing of stone and ceramics, road repair, petroleum exploration, etc. Although the main tool wear mechanisms have been identified, the scientific background is inadequate and fundamental research has to be carried out to better understand the tool field behaviour. This work addresses the complex issues of modelling abrasive wear of the metallic matrix under laboratory conditions. The generated data indicates that the matrix wear resistance can be assessed in a simple manner; whereas tests carried out on diamond impregnated specimens may aid prediction of the tool life in abrasive applications.