A DTH drill pipe works under repeated torque, tension, compression and vibration.
Although drill rods are designed for demanding service, incorrect operation or poor maintenance can accelerate failure.
Here are seven areas to check.
Worn, contaminated or cross-threaded connections can create abnormal loading and reduce connection reliability.
Two threads that look similar may not be compatible.
Never force unmatched pin and box connections together.
Misalignment, unstable drilling or severely deviated boreholes can increase bending loads on the drill string.
Dropping rods or striking threaded ends can damage precision connections before drilling begins.
Improper storage can expose steel surfaces and threads to moisture and corrosive environments.
A rod showing significant deformation, cracking or connection damage should be inspected before returning to service.
Drill pipe must be compatible with:
Rig torque
Pullback force
Hammer
Borehole diameter
Drilling depth
Operating conditions
A pipe specification suitable for one rig may not automatically be appropriate for another.
When repeated failures occur in the same area, simply replacing the damaged rod may not solve the underlying problem.
Check the entire drilling system and operating conditions.
YKDRILL supplies water well and DTH drill pipes for professional drilling applications in international markets.
Preventive inspection, correct matching and proper handling can help contractors reduce unexpected drill-string failures and costly borehole downtime.
