Wear and cutting temperature of thermally stable diamond composite tipped pick in hard rock cutting

Abstract

Thermally stable diamond composite (TSDC) material has been proposed as a replacement for tungsten carbide (WC) as the cutting-tip material for hard rock cutting due to its high wear resistance and thermal stability. As a new type of rock cutting tool, monitoring the wear and cutting temperature of TSDC cutting tips is of great significance in assessing the application of these picks in the mining and construction industries. A series of rock cutting tests was carried out using TSDC tipped picks. The cutting parameters for these tests were similar to those used in industrial production. The wear on the TSDC tip, assessed as the volume loss (mm3) from the tip per cubic meter of rock removed, was measured by a 3D laser scanner. The temperature of the TSDC tip as it exited the rock was recorded by a high framerate, infrared camera (FLIR X6801). The wear and cutting temperatures of TSDC-tipped picks were compared with conventional WC picks under the same testing conditions. The relationships between wear, cutting temperature and cutting parameters of both materials were analysed and discussed.