Patent attributes
Hot-isostatic-pressure (HIP) is used to bond a cemented carbide inlay (e.g., an inlay ring) on a metal substrate (e.g., a hull ring). For example, an inlay ring is made from a powdered metal inlay preform typically comprising at least one metal carbide and at least one nonvolatile cement. The inlay preform is compressed and sintered to make an inlay ring having a predetermined shape, the inlay ring having a modulus of elasticity substantially greater than that of a hull ring. An inlay ring and a hull ring are sealingly vacuum brazed together with at least one evacuated bonding area between them. HIP is applied to compress the hull ring against the inlay ring, thus fusing the hull ring and inlay ring in at least one evacuated bonding area. Following HIP, the inlay ring and hull ring form a fused assembly in which the inlay ring substantially retains its predetermined shape.
