PDC bits are designed for high speed drilling in shale, limestone, and sandstone formations.
Polycrystalline diamond compact (PDC) drill bits are different than roller cones in that they are one piece bodies with no moving parts. The fixed-cutters shred the rock, so the bit is able to operate with higher rotation speeds more efficiently in consolidated formations.
We offer PDC bits in a variety of sizes and number of blades. Please contact us if you have questions.
MATRIX BODY PDC BITS
Matrix is a very hard, rather brittle complex material containing tungsten carbide grains bonded with a softer, tougher, metallic binder.
The hardness of a matrix-body PDC has the benefit of not being susceptible to abrasion and erosion. It is effective in tolerating high compressive loads, but, compared with steel, has low resistance to impact loading.
Matrix-body PDC bits are relatively diverse, because matrix is a compounded material.
In environments in which body erosion is likely to cause a bit to fail, matrix-body PDC are the preference over steel-body bits. For diamond-impregnated bits, only matrix-body construction can be used.
STEEL BODY PDC BITS
Steel is the opposite of matrix. It can of withstanding high impact loads, but is softer and lacks protective features. The strength and ductility of steel give steel-bit bodies high impact resistance.
Steel bodies are considerably stronger than matrix bodies.
A beneficial feature of steel bits is that they can easily be rebuilt a number of times because worn or damaged cutters can be replaced rather easily. This is a particular advantage for operators in low-cost drilling environments.
POLYCRYSTALLINE DIAMOND COMPACT (PDC) CUTTERS
Diamond is the hardest material known. This hardness gives it superior properties for cutting any other material.
PDC is extremely important to drilling, because it aggregates tiny, inexpensive, manmade diamonds into relatively large, intergrown masses of randomly oriented crystals that can be formed into useful shapes called diamond tables. Diamond tables are the part of a cutter that contacts a formation.
Besides their hardness, PDC diamond tables have an essential characteristic for drill-bit cutters: They efficiently bond with tungsten carbide materials that can be brazed (attached) to bit bodies.