Applications of Electroplated Diamond Drill Bits

Electroplated diamond drill bits are high-efficiency, durable drilling tools widely used in geological exploration, engineering surveys, scientific drilling, and other fields. Their key characteristic is that diamond particles are firmly bonded to the bit surface through electroplating, making them ideal for efficient coring or full-face drilling in medium-hard to extremely hard formations.

1. Primary Application Fields

(1) Geological & Mineral Exploration

Metal ore exploration (gold, copper, iron, etc.): Obtain high-integrity core samples from hard rock formations.

Coal & shale gas: Used for coring in hard rock layers above/below coal seams or tight sandstone.

Gemstone exploration: Preserves core integrity in brittle formations like diamond-bearing kimberlite or jade deposits.

(2) Geotechnical Engineering

Foundation investigation: Rock/soil sampling for bridges, high-rise building piles.

Tunnels & subways: Advance drilling to predict surrounding rock conditions and assess faults/fractured zones.

Hydropower dams: Evaluates bedrock quality and compressive strength for dam foundations.

(3) Oil & Gas

Reservoir coring: Retrieves undisturbed core samples from tight sandstone or carbonate formations.

Shale oil/gas exploration: Suitable for directional coring in hard, brittle shale.

(4) Scientific Drilling

Crustal studies (e.g., Chinese Continental Scientific Drilling Project): Samples deep-earth materials.

(5) Specialized Applications

Geothermal wells: Drilling in high-temperature hard rock (granite, basalt).

Stone quarrying: Directional cutting and coring of marble/granite blocks.

Concrete inspection: Strength testing samples from large structures.

3. Key Advantages

✔ High-precision coring – Core recovery >90% (in intact formations)
✔ Adaptability – Adjustable diamond grit size (e.g., 40/50 mesh for soft rock, 80/100 mesh for hard rock)
✔ Cost-effective – 30%~50% cheaper than sintered bits, ideal for small/medium projects
✔ Ready-to-use – No break-in required; high initial penetration rates

• Case Examples 1: In a gold exploration project, a Φ75 electroplated bit drilled 150m continuously in granodiorite, achieving 2.5 m/hr penetration rate and 93% core recovery.

Case 2: A Φ130 electroplated bit successfully sampled permafrost bedrock for the Qinghai-Tibet Railway, preventing borehole collapse from thawing