Tricone Drill Bits
TCI Insert Grade Selection by Formation
Selecting the correct insert grade is the single most important factor in tricone bit performance. Use the formation-based guide below to match the right Harttek grade to your drilling conditions.
Formation-Based Selection Guide
Identify your formation type, then select the recommended grade. From the hardest abrasive rock to soft high-impact ground.
Hard & Highly Abrasive
Granite, basalt, quartzite
10% cobalt with fine grain structure provides maximum wear resistance for the most abrasive formations. Maintains sharp cutting edges longer, extending bit life in hard drilling conditions.
Medium-Hard
Sandstone, limestone, dolomite
Balanced composition of 10% cobalt with a coarser grain delivers the ideal combination of wear resistance and toughness for medium-hard formations encountered in most rotary drilling operations.
High-Impact / Fractured
Fractured limestone, broken ground
Enhanced toughness grade with 11% cobalt engineered specifically for fractured and broken formations. Resists chipping and spalling where standard grades experience premature failure due to high impact loading.
Soft / Extreme Impact
Shale, marl, soft limestone, clay
High-cobalt grades (13-16%) with coarse grain for maximum toughness. Designed for soft formations with extreme impact where insert breakage is the primary failure mode. Choose based on the severity of impact conditions.
Gauge Protection
All formation types
Brazeable grade with 8% cobalt used in gauge row positions. Excellent thermal shock resistance and brazeability ensure reliable gauge protection regardless of formation type.
Quick Reference
| Formation | Rock Types | Recommended Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Hard & Highly Abrasive | Granite, basalt, quartzite | HT1016 |
| Medium-Hard | Sandstone, limestone, dolomite | HT1024 |
| High-Impact / Fractured | Fractured limestone, broken ground | HT1124E |
| Soft / Extreme Impact | Shale, marl, soft limestone, clay | HT1324 / HT1616 / HT1624 |
| Gauge Protection | All formation types | HT0816 |
Explore All Carbide Grades
View detailed technical specifications, composition and property data for every Harttek grade.