Here Are the Real Reasons.**
In drilling, fast bit wear isn’t just a cost issue — it kills penetration rate, increases fuel consumption, and creates unexpected downtime.
If your DTH button bit is wearing out too quickly, the problem is usually not the rock.
It’s the match between the bit, the rig, and the drilling method.
Here are the 4 most common causes:
1️⃣ Wrong Carbide Grade for the Formation
Soft-grade buttons used on hard rock = flat buttons.
Hard-grade buttons used on soft, abrasive ground = rapid wear.
Solution:
Choose WC grade based on impact + abrasion balance (like YK05 / YK25 / K20 / K30 depending on formation).
2️⃣ Air Pressure Too Low
If the hammer doesn’t get enough air:
- buttons scrape instead of impact,
- the bit overheats,
- and the face starts wearing extremely fast.
Minimum:
Check that your hammer has stable working pressure (17–25 bar depending on model).
3️⃣ Wrong Bit Face Design
This is the most common mistake from end users.
Examples:
- Concave face on very hard rock → slow drilling + button chipping
- Convex face on loose formations → fast wear
- Flat face on soft ground → fast erosion
Tip: Match face shape to rock hardness, structure, and moisture.
4️⃣ Poor Drilling Parameters
Too many operators run:
- Too much feed force
- Too little rotation
- Too high rotation speed
These three destroy the bit faster than the rock does.
Correct setup = 40% longer bit life.
✔ What You Can Do
If you want, I can help analyze:
- your rock type,
- rig model,
- hammer size,
- and button grade
Then recommend the right DTH bit model and carbide grade to reduce your wear by 30–50%.
