METHOD OF TESTING A POLYCRYSTALLINE DIAMOND COMPACT CUTTER
First Claim
1. A method for determining fracture toughness of a cutting element, comprising the steps of:
- clamping a first cutting element into a fixture in a first orientation, said first cutting element being comprised of a first diamond table and a first substrate;
exerting a first confining pressure on said first diamond table by said fixture, said confining pressure being radial to said first diamond table and across a first top surface of said first diamond table;
applying a first load at a first distance from a first perimeter of said first diamond table;
increasing said first load to a first level sufficient to fracture said first diamond table;
recording said first level sufficient to fracture said first diamond table;
clamping a second cutting element into said fixture in a second orientation, said second cutting element being comprised of a second diamond table and a second substrate, said first cutting element and said second cutting element being manufactured under a same set of conditions;
exerting a second confining pressure on said second diamond table by said fixture, said second confining pressure being radial to said second diamond table and across a second top surface of said second diamond table;
applying a second load at a second distance from a second perimeter of said second diamond table;
increasing said second load to a second level sufficient to fracture said second diamond table;
recording said second level sufficient to fracture said second diamond table; and
forming a profile of cutting elements manufactured under said same set of conditions as said first cutting element and said second cutting element, said profile being comprised of data related to distance, load, and level sufficient to fracture said first diamond table and said second diamond table.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The method for determining fracture toughness includes clamping a cutting element in a first orientation, exerting a confining pressure on the cutting element, applying a first load at a first distance from a perimeter of the diamond table of the cutting element, increasing the first load to a first level sufficient to fracture, and recording the first level sufficient to fracture. Then, another load is applied at another distance from a perimeter of the diamond table with another cutting element or the same cutting element in another orientation. The load is increased until fracture again. The steps are repeated at different distances and different orientations to create a profile of the fracture toughness of the cutting element. The method also includes wearing the cutting element and measuring fracture toughness at a worn distance. The profile is a more complete rating of the cutting element under drilling conditions.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for determining fracture toughness of a cutting element, comprising the steps of:
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clamping a first cutting element into a fixture in a first orientation, said first cutting element being comprised of a first diamond table and a first substrate; exerting a first confining pressure on said first diamond table by said fixture, said confining pressure being radial to said first diamond table and across a first top surface of said first diamond table; applying a first load at a first distance from a first perimeter of said first diamond table; increasing said first load to a first level sufficient to fracture said first diamond table; recording said first level sufficient to fracture said first diamond table; clamping a second cutting element into said fixture in a second orientation, said second cutting element being comprised of a second diamond table and a second substrate, said first cutting element and said second cutting element being manufactured under a same set of conditions; exerting a second confining pressure on said second diamond table by said fixture, said second confining pressure being radial to said second diamond table and across a second top surface of said second diamond table; applying a second load at a second distance from a second perimeter of said second diamond table; increasing said second load to a second level sufficient to fracture said second diamond table; recording said second level sufficient to fracture said second diamond table; and forming a profile of cutting elements manufactured under said same set of conditions as said first cutting element and said second cutting element, said profile being comprised of data related to distance, load, and level sufficient to fracture said first diamond table and said second diamond table. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method for determining fracture toughness of a cutting element, comprising the steps of:
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clamping a first cutting element into a fixture in a first orientation, said first cutting element being comprised of a first diamond table and a first substrate; exerting a first confining pressure on said first diamond table by said fixture, said confining pressure being radial to said first diamond table and across a first top surface of said first diamond table; applying a first load at a first distance from a first perimeter of said first diamond table; increasing said first load to a first level sufficient to fracture said first diamond table; recording said first level sufficient to fracture said first diamond table; releasing said first cutting element from said fixture; re-clamping said first cutting element into said fixture in a second orientation, said first orientation being spaced from said second orientation; exerting a second confining pressure on said first diamond table by said fixture, said second confining pressure being radial to said first diamond table and across said first top surface of said first diamond table; applying a second load at a second distance from said first perimeter of said first diamond table; increasing said second load to a second level sufficient to fracture said first diamond table a second time; recording said second level sufficient to fracture said first diamond table said second time; and forming a profile of cutting elements manufactured under said same set of conditions as said first cutting element, said profile being comprised of data related to distance, load, and level sufficient to fracture said first diamond table, wherein fracture in said first orientation is isolated from fracture in said second orientation. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A device for determining fracture toughness, comprising:
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a fixture holding a cutting element, said cutting element being comprised of a diamond table and a substrate; a clamp comprised of a spacer, said cutting element being mounted in said clamp adjacent to said spacer in a first orientation, said clamp being mounted on said fixture, said space having a complementary profile to said cutting element so as to fit in said fixture; means for exerting a confining pressure on said diamond table, said confining pressure being radial to said cutting element and lateral across a top surface of said diamond table; and a load bearing means at a first distance from a perimeter of said diamond table, wherein said load bearing means is moveable to a second distance from said perimeter. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification