Rotary Drilling Tools

International Association of Drilling Contractors

IADC Codes make it easier for drillers to describe what kind of rock bit they are looking for, to the supplier. Black Diamond follows the IADC bit classification system in which the first three digits classify the bit according to the formation it is designed to drill and the bearing/seal design that is used.

Example 5-4-5-r :

First Digit:

a. 1, 2, and 3 designate STEEL TOOTH BITS with 1 for soft, 2 for medium, and 3 for hard formations

b. 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 designate TUNGSTEN CARBIDE INSERT BITS for varying formation hardness with 4 being the softest and 8 being the hardest.

Second Digit:

1, 2, 3, and 4 are further breakdown of formation with 1 being the softest and 4 the hardest.

Third Digit:

This digit will classify the bit according to bearing/seal type - information on different bearing types and special gauge wear protection as follows:

1. Standard open bearing roller bit.
2. Standard open bearing roller bit, air-cooled.
3. Standard open bearing roller bit with gauge protection which is defined as carbide inserts in the heel of the cone.
4. Sealed roller bearing bit.
5. Sealed roller bearing bit with gauge protection.
6. Journal sealed bearing bit.
7. Journal sealed bearing bit with gauge protection.

Fourth Digit:

The following letter codes are used in the fourth digit position to indicate additional features:

A. Air Application/R. Reinforced Welds/C. Center Jet/S. Standard Steel Tooth/D. Deviation Control/X. Chisel Insert/E. Extended Jet/Y. Conical Insert/G. Extra Gauge Protection/Z. Other Insert Shape/J. Jet Deflection

Bearing Types

There are primarily four (4) types of bearing designs used in tricone drilling bits:

1. 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.
2. STANDARD OPEN BEARING ROLLER BIT FOR AIR DRILLING: Cones are similar to #1, but have air injection directly to the cones to cool the bearings. Air flows into the cone through the passage ways inside the pin. (Not for mud applications)
3. SEALED BEARING ROLLER BITS: These bits have an O-Ring seal with a grease reservoir for bearing cooling. The seal acts as a barrier against mud and cuttings to protect the bearings.
4. JOURNAL BEARING ROLLER BITS: These bits are strictly oil/grease cooled with nose bearings, O-Ring seal and a race for maximum performance.

Please check https://www.iadc.org/drillbits/ for more information.