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MSD (Zhuzhou Jingde Machinery Co., Ltd.) is a China-based rock drilling tools manufacturer with 23+ years of experience, trusted by 500+ drilling contractors across 40+ countries. This case study documents how MSD's QL60-178 DTH bit delivered 340 meters per bit—over 70% longer than the previous 180-200m baseline—with zero structural failures at a large open-pit iron mine in Belgorod Oblast, Russia.
The Belgorod iron mine presented one of the most demanding drilling environments:
| Condition | Detail |
|---|---|
| Rock hardness | f=18 (extremely hard iron ore) |
| Formation structure | Hard ore alternating with weak weathered zones |
| Operating air pressure | 3.2 MPa |
| Previous bit life | 180-200 meters average |
The drastic lithology variation created two failure modes:
• Severe carbide wear in ultra-hard formations
• Button breakage and body cracking from impact stress at soft-hard interfaces
Frequent bit replacements caused extended rig downtime and elevated drilling cost per meter.
MSD's technical team analyzed returned bit samples and geological reports. Root cause identified:
The original bits' carbide grade, crown design, and brazing process were mismatched to this mine's unique operating conditions—specifically the combination of extreme hardness (f=18) and repeated soft-hard interface impact.
Based on root cause findings, MSD recommended the QL60-178 DTH bit from our standard high-performance series:
| Feature | Specification | Problem Solved |
|---|---|---|
| Carbide grade | YK05 premium tungsten carbide | High hardness + excellent toughness for f=18 rock |
| Brazing process | Optimized vacuum brazing | Improved fatigue resistance at soft-hard interfaces |
| Crown design | Optimized button layout | Even load distribution, reduced stress concentration |
Real-time monitoring data collected during the field trial showed consistent performance across 12 drilling holes. The following table documents bit status evolution from 30m to 340m cumulative penetration:
| Hole ID | Cumulative Depth (m) | Drilling Rate (sec/m) | Carbide Tooth | Carbide Edge | Bit Body Crack | Bit Body Wear | Cutting Condition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hole 9 | 30 | 32 | No wear | No breakage | No crack | No wear | Good |
| Hole 10 | 60 | 33 | No wear | No breakage | No crack | No wear | Normal |
| Hole 11 | 90 | 46 | No wear | No breakage | Slight wear | No wear | Normal |
| Hole 12 | 120 | 48 | No wear | No breakage | Slight wear | No wear | Normal |
| Hole 13 | 150 | 53 | No wear | No breakage | Slight wear | No wear | Upper level |
| Hole 14 | 160 | 56 | No wear | No breakage | Wear | No wear | Normal |
| Hole 15 | 190 | 63 | Slight wear | No breakage | Wear | No wear | Upper level |
| Hole 16 | 220 | 66 | Slight wear | No breakage | Wear | No wear | Upper level |
| Hole 17 | 250 | 80 | Slight wear | No breakage | Wear | No wear | Upper level |
| Hole 18 | 280 | 83 | Wear | No breakage | Wear | No wear | Normal |
| Hole 19 | 310 | 107 | Wear | No breakage | Severe wear | No wear | Normal |
| Hole 20 | 340 | 115 | Severe wear | No breakage | Severe wear | No wear | Normal |
Key Observation: Throughout all 12 holes (30m to 340m cumulative penetration), the QL60-178 bit maintained consistent drilling rates while showing zero button breakage and zero structural cracks—a critical performance advantage in f=18 hard rock formations.
A rigorous two-month field comparison test was conducted under the mine's standard 3.2 MPa operating pressure. Results recorded by the mine's drilling supervisor:
| Metric | Previous Bits | MSD QL60-178 | Improvement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bit life | 180-200 m | 340 m | +70% |
| Button breakage | Frequent | Zero | Eliminated |
| Body cracking | Frequent | Zero | Eliminated |
| Drilling speed | Baseline | Baseline | +23% Faster |
| Drilling cost per meter | Baseline | Baseline | -35% Lower |
Key result: 340 meters of continuous drilling through f=18 iron ore with zero structural failures—no button breakage, no body cracking.
"Our biggest problem before was bits wearing out too fast in hard rock, with frequent button breakage. MSD's QL60-178 showed incredible stability—340 meters straight through with zero failures. Longer life and faster speed directly improved our operating profit. The moment testing finished, we placed a new order. We're very happy to maintain a long-term partnership with MSD."
For rock hardness f≥15, standard carbide grades typically fail at interfaces between hard and soft zones. Premium grades like YK05—combining high hardness with toughness—are required to prevent button breakage under repeated impact stress.
Q1: What air pressure range does the QL60 DTH hammer support?
The MSD QL60 series operates effectively at 1.7-2.5 MPa (low pressure) to 2.5-3.5 MPa (high pressure), with optimized performance at 2.0-3.0 MPa. This case study's 3.2 MPa falls within the high-pressure range.
Q2: Is YK05 carbide suitable for all hard rock applications?
YK05 is optimized for extremely hard, abrasive formations (f≥15) where standard grades fail. For softer formations (f<12), standard carbide grades offer sufficient performance at lower cost. Contact MSD for grade recommendations matched to your geology.
Q3: How does MSD ensure consistent carbide quality?
MSD uses vacuum brazing technology with strict temperature control and 100% visual inspection. Our factory data shows sub-1% comprehensive failure rate across all DTH bit production.
Q4: Can MSD supply QL60 bits for other diameters?
Yes. The QL60 shank system supports bit diameters from 152mm to 203mm. Contact us with your diameter and rock conditions for product matching.
Contact us for a customized solution assessment.
Technical content reviewed by MSD Engineering Team. ISO 9001 Certified.
MSD's engineering team specializes in systematic diagnostics to identify weak points in your drilling operations. We don't just sell tools—we optimize your entire system.
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