Mining Drilling Bit 9" Tricone Drill Bit Of API Rock Drilling Tool

Mining Drilling Bit 9" Tricone Drill Bit Of Rock Drilling Tool

1 . Descriptions:

Tungsten Carbide Insert (TCI) bits are critical components in roller cone bits for drilling medium to hard rock formations. These carbide inserts use advanced tungsten cemented carbide technology‌3 and are engineered with specialized shapes to match rock hardness: spherical inserts handle extreme abrasion in hard rock‌, while conical inserts reduce resistance in softer formations‌

Three key factors determine drilling performance:

1. ‌Tooth geometry‌ - Spherical teeth (YG15 grade) excel in granite and quartzite‌, whereas conical shapes maintain stability in shale and sandstone‌

2. ‌Material properties‌ - High-density tungsten carbide with cobalt binder ensures wear resistance (HRC 85-92) and impact toughness‌

3. ‌Row configuration‌ - Multiple insert rows enhance load distribution for larger boreholes, while fewer rows optimize penetration rates in directional drilling‌5

Proper selection directly improves drilling speed by 15-30% and extends service life by 40% compared to standard bits‌. For Plasser tamping machines and deep-hole applications, customized tungsten carbide grades (K034/YG15) provide optimal balance between fracture resistance and cutting efficiency‌

2. Specification:

3 . Tricone  Bit profile 

Roller cone bit engineering requires meticulous integration of structural dynamics, material science, and operational adaptability to achieve superior drilling outcom.

4  . Bearing Types

There are primarily three types of bearing designs used in tricone drilling bits:

• STANDARD OPEN BEARING ROLLER BIT:

On these bits the cones will spin freely. This type of bit has a front row of ball bearings and a back row of roller bearings.

• SEALED BEARING ROLLERS BITS

These bits have an O-Ring seal with a grease reservoir for bearing cooling. The seals acts as a barrier against mud and cuttings to protect the bearings

• JOURNAL BEARING ROLLER BITS

These bits are strictly oil/grease cooled with nose bearings, O-Ring seal and a race for maximum performance.

5. Question :

What we should be pay attention on choosing the tricone drill bit ?

• IADC code passport
• TCI & Steel tooth options
• Additional tungsten carbide inserts on heel rows
• Tungsten carbide coating on cone bodies
• Diamond coated tungsten carbide inserts on the gauge of the cones
• Tungsten carbide inserts on the shirttail of the legs
• Additional central nozzle for cleaning cones

The tricone feature is that they come with their own passport as below :

• The specification of the cones
• The quality stamp signed by the person who made and checked the bit
• The recommended drilling parameters to get the best performance out of the bit:
• Bit weight
• Rotation speed
• Flushing volume

Which type of tricone you should choose ?

It depends on the geology you are drilling in and the diameters of the borehole you are drilling. The International Association of Drilling Contractors (IADC) have developed an easy use step system to choose the right tricone for your geology with additional features such as bit protection for longer production life.