Failure analysis of polycrystalline diamond compact cutters for breaking rock by bending waves theory

The breakage mechanism of the polycrystalline diamond compact(PDC) cutters was analyzed by the energy theory of bending waves. The cutting tests of granite block were conducted on a multifunctional testing device by using the cutter at three kinds of negative fore angles of 30°, 45° and 60°. The results show that, when the edge of the PDC layer is broken, the layer of tungsten cobalt is broken a little under the angle of 30°, while the layer of tungsten cobalt is broken continuously under the angle of 60°, their maximum depths are about 2 and 7 mm respectively in the two cases. The eccentric distance mainly depends on the negative fore angle of the cutter. When the cutter thrusts into the rock under an attack angle of 60°, the energy of bending waves reaches the maximum since the eccentric distance is the maximum. So the damage of cutter is the most serious. This test result is consistent with the conclusion of theoretical analysis well. The eccentric distance from the axial line of cutter to the point of action between the rock and cutter has great effect on the breakage of the cutter. Thus during the process of cutting, the eccentric distance should be reduced to improve the service life of PDC cutters.