Drill bit with a moissanite (silicon carbide) cutting element

Abstract

A cutting element for a rotary-type drill bit is disclosed comprising moissanite (silicon carbide) crystals impregnated within and/or coated on the surface of the cutting elements.

1 . A drill bit, comprising a support member and a cutting element, wherein said cutting element comprises moissanite.  
   
   
       2 . The drill bit of  claim 1 , wherein the cutting element is impregnated with the moissanite.  
   
   
       3 . The drill bit of  claim 1 , wherein the cutting element is surface-coated with the moissanite.  
   
   
       4 . The drill bit of  claim 1 , wherein said cutting element further comprises at least one additional compound selected from the group consisting of diamond, cubic zirconium, carbonitride, amorphous carbon, and hydrogenated amorphous carbon.  
   
   
       5 . The drill bit of  claim 1 , wherein said support member and said cutting element are configured for use in a dental drill.  
   
   
       6 . The drill bit of  claim 1 , wherein said moissanite has a particle size ranging from about 8 to about 150 μm 3 .  
   
   
       7 . The drill bit of  claim 6 , wherein said moissanite has a particle size ranging from about 25 to about 50 μm 3 .  
   
   
       8 . A method for making a drill bit, comprising: 
 coating a cutting element with moissanite by chemical vapor deposition.    
   
   
       9 . A method for making a drill bit, comprising: 
 impregnating a cutting element with moissanite by assembling layers of metal matrix material that contain interspersed moissanite.    
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein each of the layers of metal matrix material has a different distribution pattern of moissanite.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising: 
 consolidating the layers of metal matrix material by sintering.    
   
   
       12 . A saw blade comprising moissanite.  
   
   
       13 . A glass cutter comprising moissanite.  
   
   
       14 . An abrasive material comprising moissanite.