Evaluation of a New Thermally Stable Polycrystalline Diamond Material in Soft and Hard Formations

Comparative wear tests were carried out on a new Thermally Stable Polycrystalline Diamond (TSP) composite and Tungsten Carbide (6% Co) (WC) cutters, by machining rock cylinders in an instrumented lathe. Cutting tests were performed on Berea Sandstone and Sierra Granite rocks. It was observed that the new TSP material removes 1.4 times more Berea Sandstone rock than WC and 13 times more Sierra Granite than WC. In addition its volumetric wear is 25 times less in Berea Sandstone and 10 times less in Sierra Granite than WC. WC was also found to have much higher coefficient of friction, which can limit its use in abrasion resistant applications.