Talking Technically
Selecting the right core bit
Driller checking outside diameter of an Excore core drilling bit.
Crucial operation
Drilling with a core bit is intro-
duced at an advanced stage of the
exploration operation, by which
time substantial resources have
already been spent. The quality
and continuity of the captured
core is crucial in the assessment
of a potential mine, making the
core bit a key component of a core
drilling rig. Core bit selection is
based on the size and depth of
hole and the hardness of the rock,
taking into account the rig capa-
city and condition, the flushing
medium, and the skills of the
driller. To ensure the correct core
bit, the drilling contractor needs a
reliable bit supplier with the right
hands-on experience to advise the
best solution for every condition.
Atlas Copco manufactures the
entire range of core drilling tools,
and will recommend and supply
the type and designation most
suited to the application.
36 exploration drilling
Selection criteria
Atlas Copco is an experienced ISO certi-
fied supplier offering a full range of
equipment for all underground and sur-
face exploration drilling applications.
This includes rigs and a full range of
high technology and high quality pro-
ducts, including (ITH) In-The-Hole tools
and core drilling bits which are designed
to maximize customer profitability.
All products are designed to mini-
mize downtime and maximize produc-
tivity. Atlas Copco core bits range from
a Series 1 bit for the softest application
to Series 10 bit for the hardest appli-
cation. The numbers correspond to the
different rock groups by hardness, and as
a general rule, the harder the formation,
the higher the series number required.
However, other factors bear on the
choice of bit, most important of which
are the characteristics of the rock
formation, its hardness, grain size, abra-
siveness, competence, and whether the
strata is fractured or changing.
The lift and feed force of the drill-
ing rig, together with its rotation speed
and chuck and rod holding capacity are
other factors. Some rigs have better
controls than others, and this must be
taken into account. Smooth control of
feed force, and accurate control of water
flushing and rotation are key factors,
along with the driller’s technique.
A variety of core bit types is avai-
lable based on the diamond cutting ele-
ments used in their construction. The
impregnated diamond core bit is most
popular, followed by surface set dia-
mond bits, tungsten carbide and poly-
crystalline diamond composite bits.
Impregnated diamond bits should
generally be used with a peripheral speed
of 2-5 m/sec, depending on rock condi-
tion and machine capacity.

Impregnated diamond
core bits
In most geological formations, impreg-
nated bits are more economical to use
than surface set bits as they provide ad-
ditional benefits: greater resistance to
wear in most formations, (particularly
in hard and fractured formations), less
sensitive to abuse, rough handling and
improper use. Synthetic diamonds are
used in the manufacture of Atlas Copco
impregnated bits, with some bits using
natural diamonds as gauge stones. The
consistency of quality, shape, granular
size, and strength make synthetic dia-
monds superior to natural stones.
Impregnated diamond drill bits are
designed to perform as grinders. Dia-
monds are embedded in an infiltrated or
sintered matrix, which erodes away at
the same rate as the diamonds become
worn and rounded. Thus new sharp dia-
monds are exposed to continue cutting
through the rock. The combination of
diamonds and matrix determine the bit
performance, and the simultaneous ero-
sion of the matrix and the diamonds
makes the bit self-sharpening.
The ideal combination of optimal
penetration rate and wear resistance
is matched to achieve the ultimate in
drilling economy.
The diamonds are carefully selected
by quality and size for the application.
Through advanced manufacturing tech-
nology an extensive range of drilling
requirements can be satisfied. Conti-
nuous control at each step in the manu-
facturing process ensures that all bits
are of identical high quality. This con-
sistent high quality means more drill
metres per bit. Impregnated diamond
bits are the bit most commonly used in
exploration drilling, and are particularly
recommended in the hard to extremely
hard formations of rock groups 6-10.
Productivity has constantly improved
due to intensive research and develop-
ment, which has introduced new gene-
rations of synthetic diamonds, metal
alloy and improved production pro-
cesses. As a result, impregnated bits
can be used in almost all applications
except clay, chalk and other unconsoli-
dated formations.
The impregnated bit matrix is avail-
able in a Series 1 through to Series 10
exploration drilling 37
Talking Technically
according to rock hardness. Extended
channel f lushing (ECF), channel
flushing (CF), and face discharge (FD)
waterways can be selected, along with
Torpedo “V” and JET crown profiles
for competent formations. Atlas Copco
manufactures core bits in 10, 13 and 16
mm crown heights. In terms of drilling Extended Channel Flushing
parameters, weight on bit and rate of
penetration have to be taken into ac-
count, as do fluid volume, and rotation
speed. The revolution per rate of pene-
tration is normally in the range of
150-250 rev/in (RPI) or 60-100 rev/cm
(RPC).
Torpedo "V"
Surface set diamond bits
Surface set diamond bits can be used to
drill in soft to medium hard sedimen-
tary formations, but in hard rock im-
pregnated diamond bits are normally
more cost effective. Surface set bits are
designed to utilize specific diamond
Jet
size and quality according to the appli-
cation, they are available in step and
semi-round crown profiles, with a choice
of CF waterways for consolidated rock
or FD waterways for use with triple tube
core barrels to avoid core washing out
in soft formations. Step profile is nor-
mally used for standard and thick kerf
wire line bits and is suitable in almost Face Discharge
all kinds of formations, where they offer
good penetration rate and stability.
Semiround profile is used for conven-
tional and thin kerf wire line bits.
Atlas Copco surface set bits are
manufactured to the highest standards
in the industry, for the ultimate in drilling
performance. They employ a hard type Diamond Surface Set (SS)
of matrix for all formations, and use
selected and processed diamonds with
a highly polished surface. These stones
have a high impact resistance, and have
been developed from many years of
practical field experience. If the for-
mation is soft a larger stone is utilized
which results in fewer sones per carat. Poly Crystalline Diamond Composite (PDC)
Harder formations require smaller sto-
nes. The setting patterns are important
to the long service life, high penetration
rate, and adaptability to changing for-
mations that characterize this type of
bit.
Atlas Copco uses best quality pro-
cessed N, S and P diamonds suitable for
Tungsten Carbide Insert (TCI)
hard to soft formations. Most common
 Talking Technically
Atlas Copco representative discussing diamond tool selection with driller.
quality is S, which is a natural, selected-,
processed diamond, suitable for almost
all applications. The size of diamonds,
or stones per carat, is important because
the harder the rock, the smaller the
stones.
Tungsten carbide (TC) bits
TC core bits are used for drilling in
non-consolidated formations and in
overburden, and for cleaning drill
holes. They are used for soil investi-
gations and geotechnical drilling, and
can also be used for mineral exploration
for coring in softer rock formations.
Atlas Copco manufactures two diffe-
rent types of bits with octagonal tungsten
carbide inserts. Another type of tung-
sten carbide bit with more cutting edges
than standard TC bits is Corborit,
38 exploration drilling
recommended in medium to medium-
hard sedimentary formations.
All TC bits can be used in clean-out
operations, such as for the removal of
steel fragments from a drill hole.
Poly-crystalline diamond
composite bits (PDC)
PDC bits are an alternative to TC bits
and surface set diamond bits, when
drilling in non-consolidated and me-
dium hard rock formations such as
salt, potash, limestone, and clay stone
with no crystalline or chert or similar
intrusions.
Atlas Copco offers two types of PDC
bits known as Diapax and Tripax. Diapax
bits have brazed round PDC inserts,
while Tripax bits have brazed cubic
or triangular PDC inserts embedded
in the matrix and are recommended for
harder sedimentary formations.
Reaming shells
A reaming shell should always be used
in a coring system. It is a core barrel
component, which joins the bit to the
core barrel outer tube. The outside sur-
face of the reaming shell is set with dia-
monds to a specified diameter, normally
larger than the bit diameter. This pro-
vides a constant hole diameter inde-
pendent of bit wear, and accommodates
changing the bit without getting stuck
in the hole. They also serve as a stabi-
lizer, reducing vibration and prolonging
the life of the bit.
Reaming shells are designed with a
tapered leading edge to ream the hole.
Well designed waterways, reinforced
with PDC pins, facilitate effective flu-
shing and contribute to long service
life and good drilling economy for both
reaming shells and drill bits.
For some core barrel systems there
are optional reaming shells, longer than
the standard, designed with two or three
diamond set gauge rings. The longer
reaming shells have to be used together
with an optional extension sleeve for
the inner tube. Double and triple ring
reaming shells are used to improve hole
deviation problems.
Impregnated reaming shells full hole
profile are also available, when added
stability is required.
Casing and rod shoes are manufac-
tured to handle a broad range of con-
ditions, from unconsolidated over-
burden to broken, abrasive formations.
Impregnated standard and heavy duty
casing shoes as well as surface set
casing shoes are available, rod shoes
are available only in an impregnated
design.
Summary
To maximize drilling efficiency, choose
the right drill bit and utilize sound drill-
ing practices. There is no substitute for
testing the system at site, because all
sites are different, all formations are
different, and all clients’ requirements
are different.
Gerry Black
 Talking Technically

exploration drilling 39