• Journal of Powder Materials
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.203-207
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• 2015

This study investigated the microstructure and wear resistance property of HPHT(high pressure high temperature) sintered PDC(polycrystalline diamond compact) in accordance with initial molding pressure. After quantifying an identical amount of diamond powder, the powder was inserted in top of WC-Co sintered material, and molded under four different pressure conditions (50, 100, 150, $200kgf/cm^2$). The obtained diamond compact underwent sintering in high pressure, high temperature conditions. In the case of the $50kgf/cm^2$ initial molding pressure condition, cracks were formed on the surface of PDC. On the other hand, PDCs obtained from $100{\sim}200kgf/cm^2$ initial molding pressure conditions showed a meticulous structure. As molding pressure increased, low Co composition within PDC was detected. A wear resistance test was performed on the PDC, and the $200kgf/cm^2$ condition PDC showed the highest wear resistance property.

• Journal of Powder Materials
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.364-371
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• 2016

This study investigates the thermal shock property of a polycrystalline diamond compact (PDC) produced by a high-pressure, high-temperature (HPHT) sintering process. Three kinds of PDCs are manufactured by the HPHT sintering process using different particle sizes of the initial diamond powders: $8-16{\mu}m$ ($D50=4.3{\mu}m$), $10-20{\mu}m$ ($D50=6.92{\mu}m$), and $12-22{\mu}m$ ($D50=8.94{\mu}m$). The microstructure observation results for the manufactured PDCs reveal that elemental Co and W are present along the interface of the diamond particles. The fractions of Co and WC in the PDC increase as the initial particle size decreases. The manufactured PDCs are subjected to thermal shock tests at two temperatures of $780^{\circ}C$ and $830^{\circ}C$. The results reveal that the PDC with a smaller particle size of diamond easily produces microscale thermal cracks. This is mainly because of the abundant presence of Co and WC phases along the diamond interface and the easy formation of Co-based (CoO, $Co_3O_4$) and W-based ($WO_2$) oxides in the PDC using smaller diamond particles. The microstructural factors for controlling the thermal shock property of PDC material are also discussed.

• Journal of Powder Materials
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.111-115
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• 2015

This study investigates the microstructure and thermal shock properties of polycrystalline diamond compact (PDC) produced by the high-temperature, high-pressure (HPHT) process. The diamond used for the investigation features a $12{\sim}22{\mu}m$- and $8{\sim}16{\mu}m$-sized main particles, and $1{\sim}2{\mu}m$-sized filler particles. The filler particle ratio is adjusted up to 5~31% to produce a mixed particle, and then the tap density is measured. The measurement finds that as the filler particle ratio increases, the tap density value continuously increases, but at 23% or greater, it reduces by a small margin. The mixed particle described above undergoes an HPHT sintering process. Observation of PDC microstructures reveals that the filler particle ratio with high tap density value increases direct bonding among diamond particles, Co distribution becomes even, and the Co and W fraction also decreases. The produced PDC undergoes thermal shock tests with two temperature conditions of 820 and 830, and the results reveals that PDC with smaller filler particle ratio and low tap density value easily produces cracks, while PDC with high tap density value that contributes in increased direct bonding along with the higher diamond content results in improved thermal shock properties.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.249-263
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• 2022

The specially-shaped Polycrystalline Diamond Compact (PDC) cutter is widely used in drill bit design due to its advantages of high rock cutting efficiency, strong impact resistance and long service life in hard and abrasive formation drilling. A detailed understanding of rock cutting behavior of worn specially-shaped PDC cutter is essential to improve the drilling efficiency and decrease the drilling costs. In this paper, the theoretical models of two new principles (loading performance (LP) and cutting performance (CP)) are derived for evaluating the cutting process of worn specially-shaped cutter, the theoretical models consider the factors, such as cutter geometry, aggressiveness, stress state, working life, and rock cutting efficiency. Besides, the numerical model of heterogeneous granite is developed using finite element method combined with Voronoi tessellation, the LP and CP of 12 kinds of worn specially-shaped PDC (SPDC) cutters are analyzed. The results found that the mechanical specific energy (MSE) of worn cutters first increase and then decrease with increasing the cutting depth, and the MSE increase with the increase of back rake angle except for Conical cutter and Wedge-shaped cutter. From the perspective of CP, the worn PDC cutters are more suitable for the smaller cutting depths, and the back rake angle has little effect on the CP of the specially-shaped worn PDC cutters. Conical cutter, Saddle-shaped cutter and Ellipse-shaped cutter have the highest CP value, while Rhombus-shaped cutter, Convex cutter and Wedge-shaped cutter have the lowest value in selecting cutters. This research leads to an enhanced understanding of rock-breaking mechanisms of worn SPDC cutters, and provides the basis to select of specially-shaped PDC cutters for the specific target formation.