Comparison of the performance properties of commercially produced roller cone bit coatings

This paper studies the material aspects of roller cone bits with milled teeth. The research concerns the properties of commercial product overlays provided by the company Glinik Drilling Tools. The analyzed coatings were produced according to the company’s procedures using two surfacing methods: gas welding and plasma transferred arc (PTA) welding. Metallographic observations and chemical composition analyses were carried out. The evaluation criteria in the context of the surfacing application were mechanical properties: hardness, impact strength, and abrasion resistance. The overlays produced by gas welding were characterized by lower hardness, impact strength, and abrasion resistance. The study showed that it differed from the deposit made by the PTA method in the matrix material and in the average size of the tungsten carbides. The dissolution of primary carbides and formation of secondary carbides such as Fe3C and Ni17W3 were found to occur in both surfacing types. This contributes to the increased brittleness of the matrix and reduced wear resistance of the materials.