On the realm of engineering construction, round bars and drill rods serve as crucial tools. Despite their resemblance, these tools display substantial disparities in constituent materials, applications, and functionalities.

Material

Round bars are usually made of solid circular cross-section materials such as carbon steel, alloy steel, and stainless steel. These materials have high strength and toughness and are suitable for numerous machining and manufacturing processes. The length of the round bars according to specific specifications whilst their diameter fluctuates contingent upon the necessitated application.

A drill rod is a tool that connects the drill bit and is used with the rock drilling machine to drill in rocks or rock soil. They are manufactured from hollow steel. Depending on its utilization, this hollow steel can be categorized as hollow steel for producing rock drill rods for short-depth boreholes, hollow steel for the manufacture of threaded rods effective in drilling mid-to-deep length rock holes, and hollow steel destined for the production of special-purpose rods.

Shape and structure

The shape of the round bar is a circular cross-section with a smooth surface and no special treatment. Cutting, grinding, drilling, and other processing operations can be performed as needed. The bar length and diameter may be strategically altered according to specific operational usage, thus catering to various circumstances.

The drill rod is usually hexagonal, but special drill rods in other shapes also exist. Threaded and tapered structures are available. The structure design and geometric dimensions of the drill rod are the most important and are directly related to the performance of the joints of different structures and the length of drilling life.

Use

The main feature of the round bar is that the diameter is the same and does not change from beginning to end. Round bars are usually used as raw materials for mechanical processing, such as forging, casting, turning, and milling. It is also instrumental in manufacturing components for various tools and machinery.

A drill rod is a tool used by rock drills for drilling. It is usually used in excavation and mining operations and is the main product in rock drilling tools.

Processing

Round bars are classified into three types: hot rolled, forged, and cold drawn. The specifications of hot rolled round bars are 5.5-250 mm. Most of the small round bars of 5.5-25 mm are available in bundles of straight bars, which are used for rebar, bolts, and various mechanical parts; longer than 25mm circular rods predominantly serve the purposes of fabricating mechanical parts, billets for seamless steel pipes amongst other uses.

The drill rods should undergo more processing steps, such as quenching and tempering, to ensure strength and toughness.

Usage and Precautions

Round bars are usually used for processing raw materials or structural parts and require corresponding machining or assembly operations. Ongoing upkeep, such as polishing and plating, is frequently needed to preserve aesthetics and functionality. While being utilized, it’s imperative to safeguard the sleek surface and integrity of the round rod to avert distortion or damage instigated by impaction or extrusion. At the same time, we should appropriate round bar materials and specifications should be selected according to the actual application to ensure that the quality and performance of the product meet the requirements.

Drill rods are usually used with drill jumbos or other mechanical equipment for drilling or crushing operations. When using them, it’s crucial to carefully choose the suitable drill rod model and specifications to guarantee the efficiency and safety of drilling or crushing operations. Additionally, regular checks on the wear and lubrication status of the drill rod are essential. Any damaged components of the drill rod should be replaced or repaired in time to ensure its smooth operation and prolonged service life.

Cost

Generally speaking, the cost of round bars is lower than that of drill rods because of their relatively simple processing technology, allowing for mass production. The drill rod requires more processing steps and materials, so the cost is relatively high.

In short, round bars and drill rods serve essential functions with pronounced disparities. Comprehending these variations aids in selecting the optimal product for a given task, thereby enhancing operational efficiency and safety. Concurrently, it is imperative to preserve the material’s exterior condition and structural integrity during use and replace or rectify defective components promptly to guarantee uninterrupted functionality and extended lifespan.