COMPOSITE ROCK BIT SEAL

摘要

A high performance rock bit journal seal is formed from a composite material comprising an elastomeric material and a nonelastomeric polymeric material. The polymeric material is preferably in the form of fibers woven into a sheet. The elastomeric material includes at least one lubricant additive. The composite 'seal' material comprises a number of repeating sheets of polymeric fabric that are bonded together with the elastomeric material. In one embodiment, the seal includes a body formed entirely from the composite material, in which case both the static and dynamic seal surfaces are the same. In another embodiment, the seal includes a first body portion formed from the composite material, and a remaining body portion formed from a noncomposite elastomeric seal material. Seals formed from the composite seal material display enhanced wear resistance, reduced coefficient of friction, and improved high-temperature stability and endurance when compared to noncomposite seal materials, thereby both extending the useful life of seals formed therefrom and of rock bits that employ such seals.