Bit cutter-on-rock tribometry: Analyzing friction and rate-of-penetration for deep well drilling substrates

In this paper, techniques for studying the tribology of rock cutting were developed using bit cutter-on-rock tribometry (B-CORT). Tribological testing was carried out on water-jet fabricated rock disks representative of those found during deep well drilling. The tribometer was also retrofitted with a variable radius cutter assembly, and a system for the capture of in situ rate-of-penetration (ROP). Results include in situ coefficient of friction (COF) and ROP for O1 tool steel cutters on Carthage Marble rock disks. Additionally, this work includes validation of the DOC measurement system with optical interferometry. The interdependence of interfacial cutting friction, ROP, and disk speed are discussed and qualitatively validated against existing studies. •Tribological testing of deep well rocks was conducted on a retrofitted tribometer.•A new system was presented to isolate and capture rate-of-penetration.•in situ rock cutting data for friction and rate-of-penetration was collected.•Parametric studies for load and speed were carried out on Nugget Sandstone.•Qualitative data comparison against the existing literature was performed.