Intermetallic-Bonded Diamond Materials

Project Leader: Dale Wittmer and Peter Filip

Unit: College of Engineering, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering and Energy Processes and the Center for Advanced Friction Studies

Brief Description:

A novel composite material consisting of a mixture of nickel, aluminum, metal carbide, and industrial diamond powders. Tests have found it to be up to 800 times more wear-resistant than carbide now used commercially in making mining tools, drill bits, ceramic tile routers, and related items. The diamonds are effectively retained in the composite throughout various industrial applications and without a change in crystalline structure. The material can be readily produced and manipulated using well-established industry methods. A substantial amount of research has been done to confirm the effectiveness of this potentially revolutionary material. | see more info (PDF)

Patent Status:

Patent pending. U.S. patent application no. 20060280638.

License Status:

Available for license.

Potential Commercial Uses:

This material has numerous applications in the mining, mineral, and drilling industries. Coal mining and handling, hard rock mining and crushing, gas and oil drilling, trenching, excavating, resurfacing, etc., may benefit. Other applications include industrial tools and other fields of use where cutting performance and high wear resistance are important.

Why Intermetallic-Bonded Diamond Composites as a Cutting Tool Material?
Copyright 2010, SIU Board of Trustees. Print this (pdf).

INTERMETALLIC-BONDED DIAMOND COMPOSITES (IBDs) were invented at SIU Carbondale. Tests previously performed in laboratories and coal mines indicated that IBD performance was superior when compared to commercial WC materials currently being used. Recent wear and impact/wear testing in steel, cast iron, and granite has shown that IBD’s are superior to both WC based cermets and PDC compacts in these applications.

An intermetallic matrix is used to hold the diamonds in place. This intermetallic is a compound with special behavior and was determined by analysis conducted at Oak Ridge National Laboratories to become stronger and tougher as temperature increases to about 800 degrees C. In addition, the intermetallic compound has a higher thermal expansion coefficient which allows the diamonds to be mechanically bound in the matrix. With wear, the diamonds fracture without severe pull-out and expose fresh diamonds to the wear interface. Read More...(pdf).

More Information:

Dr. Filip's presentation at SIUC Technology and Innovation Expo - Fall 2010: Summary PDF, Presentation PDF

December 2010 Tech Transfer Newsletter Article: Intermetallic Bonded Diamonds for Drilling Applications

Keywords:

mining tools, drill bits, ceramic tile routers, mining industry, mineral industry, drilling industry, Coal mining, hard rock mining, gas drilling, oil drilling, trenching, excavating, resurfacing, industrial tools, cutting performance, high wear resistance

Contact:

Jeff Myers, Senior Technology Transfer Specialist, (618) 453-4543, fax: (618) 453-8038
Amy McMorrow Hunter, Technology Transfer Specialist, (618) 453-4556

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