Gauge Protection
Protection of the gauge surface is vital to the effectiveness of any bit. The
gauge surfaces constantly ream the hole, and thus are subject to continuous
abrasive wear.
Applying tungsten carbide in a steel matrix through a welding process,
called “hardfacing”, provides the best resistance to this type of wear.
Gauge protection is improved as the amount of hardfaced surface area
increases.
The configuration of the gauge teeth determines the available surface area.
The “A” type teeth are standard for soft formation bits, resulting in
minimum gauge protection for drilling medium-hard formations. The “T”
type teeth provides the greatest amount of surface area for the application
of hard metal, and are used for abrasive formation bit types.
For work in very hard formations, a flat-top tungsten carbide insert is
pressed into the gauge surface for additional protection.
Gauge protection is specified in roller cone bits by adding a “G” to the
IADC code.
Protection of the gauge surface is vital to the effectiveness of any bit. The
gauge surfaces constantly ream the hole, and thus are subject to continuous
abrasive wear.
Applying tungsten carbide in a steel matrix through a welding process,
called “hardfacing”, provides the best resistance to this type of wear.
Gauge protection is improved as the amount of hardfaced surface area
increases.
The configuration of the gauge teeth determines the available surface area.
The “A” type teeth are standard for soft formation bits, resulting in
minimum gauge protection for drilling medium-hard formations. The “T”
type teeth provides the greatest amount of surface area for the application
of hard metal, and are used for abrasive formation bit types.
For work in very hard formations, a flat-top tungsten carbide insert is
pressed into the gauge surface for additional protection.
Gauge protection is specified in roller cone bits by adding a “G” to the
IADC code.
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