Use of plasma technology to strengthen elements of rolling-cutter drill bits
The article presents results of plasma technology application to strengthen the elements of rolling-cutter drill bits. Based on the analysis of the most worn out parts of bearing assemblies of rolling-cutter drill bits, the main reinforcement elements, such as bearing raceways, were chosen both from the side of the rolling-cutter and the leg. The studies resulted in fixing the optimal materials, parameters and modes of the wear-resistant coating’s plasma spraying on bearing assemblies’ raceways of rolling-cutter drill bits. The practical use of studies’ results will allow to significantly increase the reliability and operational life-time of bearing assemblies of rolling-cutter drilling tools and, consequently, the efficiency aa well as to reduce drilling cost.