High impact resistant degradation element

摘要

In one aspect of the invention, a degradation element includes a substrate bonded to a sintered polycrystalline ceramic. The sintered polycrystalline ceramic has a tapering shape and a rounded apex. The rounded apex has a curvature with a 0.050 to 0.150 inch radius when viewed from a direction normal to a central axis of the degradation element that intersects the curvature. The rounded apex includes the characteristic of when the rounded apex is loaded against a rock formation, the rounded apex fails the rock formation forming a crushed barrier ahead of the rounded apex that shields the rounded apex from a virgin portion of the rock formation while still allowing the rounded apex to penetrate below a surface of the rock formation.

主权项

1. A method of degrading a rock formation, comprising:
providing a degradation element comprising a substrate bonded to a sintered polycrystalline ceramic comprising a tapering shape and a rounded apex, the rounded apex comprising a curvature with a 0.050 to 0.150 inch radius when viewed from a direction normal to a central axis of the degradation element that intersects the curvature; loading the degradation element along a central axis of the degradation element with 2,000 pounds of load against the rock formation comprising an unconfined compressive strength of 23,000 pounds per square inch, indenting the degradation element into the rock formation 0.018 to 0.026 inches, and forming a 0.046 to 0.064 inch deep crater; crushing a portion of the rock formation to form a shield; and forcing the shield against a virgin portion of the rock formation with the degradation element to fracture the virgin portion.