PDC plates, as a high-performance superhard material, are sintered under high-temperature and high-pressure conditions from diamond micropowder and a cemented carbide matrix. Combining the exceptional hardness of diamond with the impact resistance of cemented carbide, they have become an indispensable key material in industrial applications. Their applications span multiple industries including geological exploration, petroleum drilling, machining, and mining. The close alignment between their technical characteristics and practical demands has driven efficiency gains and cost optimization across relevant sectors.
In geological exploration, PDC inserts serve as core drilling tools due to their exceptional wear resistance and thermal stability. Traditional drill bits often fail in complex formations due to high temperatures or abrasion from hard rock layers. Composite bits, however, maintain stable drilling speeds through the continuous cutting capability of their diamond layer while reducing replacement frequency. For instance, in deep geological surveys or mineral resource exploration, equipment using composite bit drills achieves daily penetration rates over 30% higher than traditional tools, with significantly improved core integrity. This provides more reliable data support for subsequent analysis.
The oil and gas industry demands exceptional durability from drilling tools, where diamond compact segments demonstrate significant advantages. Their cemented carbide matrix effectively disperses impact forces generated during drilling, preventing diamond layer detachment, while the diamond layer excels at cutting hard formations under high-temperature and high-pressure conditions. In shale gas development, composite bit designs achieve a balance between drilling speed and tool life through optimized cutting edge layouts and rake angle configurations. A single bit can achieve over 5,000 meters of penetration, extending service life by 40% compared to traditional PDC bits and significantly reducing overall drilling costs.
The machining industry demands stringent wear resistance and precision from cutting tool materials. By adjusting diamond particle size and sintering processes, diamond composite inserts can be customized to meet diverse machining requirements. In high-precision machining applications such as automotive engine blocks and aerospace aluminum alloy components, composite insert tools achieve cutting speeds three times faster than traditional carbide tools while reducing surface roughness to below Ra 0.8. This effectively minimizes subsequent polishing processes. Furthermore, their outstanding anti-adhesion properties excel when machining soft metals like copper and aluminum, preventing tool wear caused by material buildup and extending tool life.
In mining operations, diamond composite bits are widely used in equipment such as down-the-hole drills and cutting teeth. During coal mine tunnel excavation, composite cutting teeth achieve efficient hard rock fragmentation through optimized tooth profiles and alloy ratios. Compared to traditional cutting teeth, they increase single-tooth advance by 50% while reducing dust generation by 20%, thereby improving the working environment. In open-pit mining operations, composite bit drills integrated with high-pressure water jet technology enable precise control over borehole diameter and depth, providing a more stable parameter foundation for blasting operations.
