Metal Matrix Composite Mining Pick and Method of Making

Abstract

A mining pick is disclosed. The pick has a body, at least part of the body being formed of a metal matrix composite comprising particles dispersed in a metal, a cutting element mounted to body, and a shank extending from the body. The at least part of the body formed of the metal matrix composite is configured to provide a barrier during an excavation operation.

1 . A mining pick, the pick comprising:
 a body;   at least part of the body being formed of a metal matrix composite comprising particles dispersed in a metal;   a cutting element mounted to the body; and   a shank extending from the body, wherein the at least part of the body formed of the metal matrix composite is configured to provide a barrier during an excavation operation.   
     
     
         2 . A mining pick defined by  claim 1  wherein the at least part of the body formed of the metal matrix composite is configured to provide a barrier disposed adjacent to a distal end of the body, the barrier protecting at least a portion of the mining pick disposed between the barrier and a proximal end of the shank. 
     
     
         3 . A mining pick defined by  claim 1 , wherein the at least part of the body formed of the metal matrix composite forms an exterior surface of the body adjacent the cutting element. 
     
     
         4 . A mining pick defined by  claim 3  wherein the exterior surface encircles the cutting element. 
     
     
         5 . A mining pick defined by  claim 1 , wherein the metal matrix composite has less propensity to cause ignition of a flammable substance adjacent the body during the excavation operation than at least one of cemented carbide, a material of the shank, and a material of the cutting element. 
     
     
         6 . A mining pick defined by  claim 1 , wherein the at least part of the body formed of the metal matrix composite is configured to provide a barrier after the cutting element fails. 
     
     
         7 . A mining pick defined by  claim 1 , wherein the particles have a hardness greater than 1000 Hardness Vickers and a modulus greater than around 200 Gigapascals. 
     
     
         8 . A mining pick defined by  claim 1 , wherein the metal has a hardness and a modulus less than the particles, and a thermal conductivity greater than around 100 W/m/C). 
     
     
         9 . A mining pick defined by  claim 1 , wherein the particles constitute between 20% and 90% by volume of the metal matrix composite. 
     
     
         10 . A mining pick defined by  claim 1 , wherein the metal constitutes between 10% and 80% by volume of the metal matrix composite. 
     
     
         11 . A mining pick defined by  claim 1 , wherein the particles are tungsten carbide and constitute around 60% by volume of the metal matrix composite. 
     
     
         12 . A mining pick defined by  claim 1 , wherein the particles comprise steel. 
     
     
         13 . A mining pick defined by  claim 1 , wherein the metal comprises 65% to 75% by volume copper, 5% to 15% by volume silver and 15% to 25% by volume zinc. 
     
     
         14 . A mining pick defined by  claim 1 , wherein the metal is copper. 
     
     
         15 . A mining pick defined by  claim 1 , wherein the metal matrix composite constitutes the body and the shank has an end embedded in the metal matrix composite. 
     
     
         16 . A mining pick defined by  claim 1 , wherein the cutting element is mechanically attached to the metal matrix composite. 
     
     
         17 . A mining pick defined by  claim 1 , wherein at least one transverse dimension of at least some of the portion embedded in the metal matrix composite increases in a direction inward of the body. 
     
     
         18 . A mining pick defined by  claim 1 , wherein the cutting element is metallurgically attached to the metal matrix composite. 
     
     
         19 . A mining pick defined by  claim 1 , wherein the cutting element is attached to the metal matrix composite by a metallurgical high temperature braze. 
     
     
         20 . A mining pick defined by  claim 1 , wherein the cutting element is attached to the metal matrix composite by a sintered bond. 
     
     
         21 . A mining pick defined by  claim 1 , wherein a portion of the cutting element is embedded in the metal matrix composite. 
     
     
         22 . A mining pick defined by  claim 1 , wherein the cutting element comprises thermally stable silicon carbide diamond composite (SCDC), the cutting element has a surface bonded to a product of a reaction of a metal with the SCDC, and the product is bonded to the metal matrix composite. 
     
     
         23 . A mining pick defined by  claim 1 , wherein the body comprises a plurality of monoliths. 
     
     
         24 . A mining pick defined by  claim 23 , wherein the plurality of monoliths comprise at least one of diamond, cermet, ceramic, and cemented carbide. 
     
     
         25 . A mining pick defined by  claim 23  wherein the plurality of monoliths are embedded in a plurality of carbide containing pellets which are imbedded in the metal matrix compound. 
     
     
         26 . A mining pick defined by  claim 23 , wherein the plurality of monoliths are disposed adjacent a surface of the body. 
     
     
         27 . A mining pick defined by  claim 1 , wherein the body comprises at least two portions, each portion having a respective metal matrix composite, one of the metal matrix composites having a composition that is different to that of the other metal matrix composite. 
     
     
         28 . A mining pick defined by  claim 27  wherein one of the portions is disposed at a distal end of the body, and another of the portions is disposed at a proximal end of the body. 
     
     
         29 . A mining pick defined by  claim 27  wherein one of the portions is disposed in a pocket formed in another of the portions. 
     
     
         30 . A mining pick defined by any  claim 1 , wherein the body comprises a ring of material encircling the cutting element, the ring having an equal or lesser hardness than that of the cutting element and greater than the metal matrix composite. 
     
     
         31 . A mining pick defined by  claim 1 , wherein the body has a portion disposed at a distal end comprising a metal matrix composite and another portion disposed at a proximal end comprising a steel. 
     
     
         32 . A method of making a mining pick, the method comprising the steps of:
 disposing a powder used in the manufacture of a metal matrix composite in a mould of complementary shape to at least a portion of a body of a mining pick; and   heating the powder to a temperature for a period of time to form the metal matrix composite that has the shape of the at least the portion of the body.