Infiltrated carbide matrix bodies using metallic flakes

1. A matrix powder for forming a matrix body, the matrix powder comprising:

a plurality of carbide particles; and

a plurality of first metal binder particles, each particle of the plurality of first metal binder particles having an aspect ratio of at least about 3.

2. The matrix powder of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of first metal binder particles comprise up to 12 wt % of the matrix powder.

3. The matrix powder of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of first metal binder particles have an aspect ratio of at least about 10.

4. The matrix powder of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of first metal binder particles comprise nickel and/or cobalt.

5. The matrix powder of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of second metal binder particles having an aspect ratio of about 1.

6. The matrix powder of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of carbide particles comprise at least one of cast tungsten carbide, cemented tungsten carbide, and macrocrystalline tungsten carbide.

7. The matrix powder of claim 3 , wherein the plurality of carbide particles comprise at least one of spherical cast tungsten carbide and crushed cast tungsten carbide.

8. The matrix powder of claim 1 , wherein a mean particle size of the plurality of carbide particles ranges from 50 to 840 microns.

9. The matrix powder of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of carbide particles have a particle size distribution of ±20% or less of a median particle size.

10. The matrix powder of claim 9 , wherein the median particle size is at least 100 microns.

11. A drill bit, comprising:

a bit body having a plurality of blades extending radially therefrom, at least a portion of the bit body formed from a matrix powder composition comprising:

a plurality of carbide particles; and

a plurality of first metal binder particles, each particle of the plurality of first metal binder particles having an aspect ratio of at least about 3; and

at least one cutting element for engaging a formation disposed on at least one of the plurality of blades.

12. The drill bit of claim 11 , wherein the plurality of first metal binder particles comprise up to 12 wt % of the matrix powder.

13. The drill bit of claim 11 , wherein the plurality of first metal binder particles have an aspect ratio of at least about 10.

14. The drill bit of claim 11 , wherein the plurality of first metal binder particles comprise nickel and/or cobalt.

15. The drill bit of claim 11 , further comprising a plurality of second metal binder particles having an aspect ratio of about 1.

16. A drill bit, comprising:

a bit body having a plurality of blades extending radially therefrom,

at least a portion of the bit body comprising a carbide phase and at least two binder phases, a first binder phase comprising particles having aspect ratios of at least about 3 and a second binder phase surrounding the carbide phase and the first binder phase; and

at least one cutting element for engaging a formation disposed on at least one of the plurality of blades.

17. The drill bit of claim 16 , wherein the plurality of first metal binder particles have an aspect ratio of at least about 10.

18. The drill bit of claim 16 , wherein the first binder phase has a melting point greater than the second binder phase.

19. A method of forming a matrix body, comprising:

loading a matrix powder comprising a plurality of carbide particles and a plurality of first metal binder particles, each particle of the plurality of first metal binder particles having an aspect ratio of at least about 3 into a mold cavity; and

heating the mold contents to form a matrix body.

20. The method of claim 19 , further comprising:

infiltrating the mold contents with an infiltration binder, wherein the plurality of first metal binder particles have a melting point greater than the infiltration binder.