The drill rod is a crucial component in the rock drilling process, acting as a link between the drill bit and the rock drilling machine. It plays a vital role in ensuring the stability and safety of the structure. However, the service life of drill rods will be affected by many factors, such as material properties, working environment, and usage methods. To ensure the safety and efficiency of industrial production, the detection of the service life of the drill rod is particularly critical.

The service life of drill rod is mainly affected by material properties and working conditions. Material properties include strength, toughness, corrosion resistance, etc. These properties are closely related to the service life of the drill rod. Working conditions include the load borne by the drill rod, the temperature and humidity of the working environment, friction and wear, etc. These factors will also affect the service life of drill rods. To evaluate the service life of drill rods, it’s vital to consider all these factors comprehensively.

Methods to evaluate the service life of drill rods

Fatigue test: simulate the stress of the drill rod under actual working conditions in the laboratory or on-site, and conduct fatigue tests on it to determine its service life. This method can more accurately reflect the performance of the drill rod in the actual use environment, but it takes a long time and cost.

Material analysis: by analyzing the chemical composition and microstructure of the drill rod material, we can evaluate its mechanical properties and corrosion resistance. This method can provide a basis for selecting high-quality materials, but it cannot directly test the service life of drill rods.

Appearance inspection: regularly conduct an appearance inspection of the drill rod to detect cracks, wear, and other conditions on its surface. This method is simple and easy to implement, but it requires the experience and responsibility of the inspector.

Methods to detect the service life of drill rod

Traditional inspection methods

Traditional inspection methods mainly include visual inspection and percussion inspection. The appearance inspection is to initially evaluate the service life of drill rods by observing their surface condition, such as whether there are cracks, wear, etc. Percussion inspection is to identify any internal cracks or breaks inside the drill rod by tapping various parts of the drill rods and listening to the sound. Although these methods are simple and easy to implement, they require the experience and responsibility of the inspector and cannot accurately evaluate the service life of the drill rod.

Modern sensor technology

Modern sensor technology has introduced innovative methods for assessing the service life of drill rods with greater accuracy and reliability. Some of these advanced techniques include:

Ultrasonic Flaw Detection: Ultrasonic flaw detectors are used to detect the presence of cracks and defects inside the drill rod. This non-destructive testing method can provide highly accurate insights into the internal condition of the rod.
Vibration Monitoring: Vibration sensors are employed to monitor the vibrations generated during the operation of the drill rod. The analysis can accurately assess the fatigue condition of the drill rod.
These modern methods offer improved accuracy and reliability in evaluating the service life of drill rods. However, they require specialized equipment and trained personnel to operate, but the cost is higher.

Big data analysis

Big data analysis is an analysis method based on a large number of data samples, which can provide strong support for evaluating the service life of the drill rod. By collecting a large amount of data during the use of the drill rod and analyzing and processing it using methods such as statistics and machine learning, the key factors affecting the service life of the drill rod can be revealed, thereby providing a basis for optimizing the design and improving the service life. This method requires a large amount of data support and professional analysis software, but it can improve the accuracy and pertinence of the assessment.

Understanding the testing method for the service life of the drill rod will help us fully understand and master the usage of the drill rod and provide a basis for its maintenance and replacement. With the development and application of non-destructive testing technology and big data prediction models, our detection of the service life of drill rods will be more accurate and timely. Therefore, we should attach importance to the service life detection in actual production to ensure smooth production.