About the experience of using hardmetals in the production of roller cone bits at Volgaburmash JSC

Since 2017, Volgaburmash JSC (Samara, Russia) tested purchased 90%WC–10%Co carbide powder mixtures and finished carbide drill bits from various manufacturers. The work was carried out in order to check the possibility of using purchased products as raw materials at the plant to reduce the production cycle for the manufacture of carbide inserts for roller cone bits. This intercommodity substitution (outsourcing) is carried out with the aim of potential cone bit cost reduction and production process acceleration so that the plant can operate in the heavily competitive environment of foreign and domestic markets. The article focuses on the analysis and detailed comparison of the micro- and macrostructure, physical, mechanical, chemical and processing properties of purchased hard-alloy mixtures and sintered inserts of various manufacturers including Volgaburmash JSC. All properties of materials under study were determined in accordance with the VBM JSC company standard STP 582-17. Much attention is paid to comparing crack resistance or Palmqvist fracture toughness values of the alloy and analysis of microstructure images and fracture propagation pattern after using scanning electron microscopy tests. In addition, consideration is given to such important hard alloy properties as hardness and transverse bending strength. Based on the results of the conducted research, conclusions are presented on the expediency of using purchased hard-alloy materials at the Volgaburmash JSC metallurgical shop in comparison with internally manufactured materials.