Inventors:
Salvador Espana - Costa Mesa CA
Assignee:
Smith International, Inc. - Newport Beach CA
International Classification:
B21K 502
C21D 178
Abstract:
A rock bit segment has a cutter rotatably mounted on a journal. Loads radially of the axis of the journal are largely taken by a friction bearing pad of hard material. Ball bearings track in circular races on the journal and cutter and retain the cutter on the journal. A seal at the junction of the journal and the balance of the segment keep lubricant from escaping from the interface between the cutter and the journal and formation material from entering this interface. To provide hardened wear surfaces for the seal on the journal and segment in the ball race on the journal, on radial surfaces of the journal adjacent the pad, and at the nose of the journal, the entire rock bit segment is subjected to a carbon enrichment of the surface after the segment has been machined. Thereafter, the segment is quenched to effect a hardened case, and then the segment is tempered. Carbon in the case varies from 0. 5% to 0.