Patent ID: 8230762
Filing Date: 2012-07-31
Classification: E21B

Abstract:
1. A method of forming an earth-boring rotary drill bit, the method comprising: forming a plurality of boron carbide particles into a body having a shape corresponding to at least a portion of a bit body of a rotary drill bit for drilling subterranean formations, forming a plurality of boron carbide particles into a body having a shape corresponding to at least a portion of a bit body of a rotary drill bit for drilling subterranean formations comprising placing the plurality of boron carbide particles within a cavity of a mold, the cavity having a shape corresponding to the shape of the at least a portion of the bit body; infiltrating the plurality of boron carbide particles with molten aluminum or a molten aluminum-based material; and cooling the molten aluminum or molten aluminum-based material to form a solid matrix material surrounding the plurality of boron carbide particles.