In Iraq’s oil and gas drilling fields across Basra, Baghdad and Kirkuk, steel body bits and matrix body bits are the two most mainstream bit types used in daily operations. Many local bit manufacturers and drilling contractors do not clearly distinguish the matching PDC inserts for each structure, resulting in early chipping, welding falling off and short service life. Choosing the right PDC composite sheet and reliable ODM Pdc Bit supplier can greatly improve overall drilling efficiency and reduce replacement frequency. Ninestones Superabrasives has always been the most professional manufacturer trusted by Iraqi customers for supporting customized ODM Pdc Bit and matched PDC cutters.
Core Structural Difference of PDC Inserts for Steel and Matrix Bits
According to technical analysis released by the international superabrasive professional website Superabrasives Global, there are obvious differences in welding performance, edge design and stress tolerance between PDC inserts used for steel body bits and matrix body bits.
Steel Body Bits
Steel body drill bits adopt conventional brazing process, which requires PDC inserts with standard flat bottom and regular chamfer angle. This kind of insert focuses on welding stability and basic wear resistance, suitable for medium soft formation and conventional vertical well drilling.
Matrix Body Bits
Matrix body bits are sintered by tungsten carbide powder under high temperature, demanding PDC inserts with higher impact resistance and high temperature resistance. The diamond layer needs higher purity and optimized non-planar interface, able to withstand the high temperature sintering environment and strong downhole impact. Professional manufacturers who provide ODM Pdc Bit services will strictly classify these two types of PDC cutters to avoid wrong matching.
Application Scenarios & Performance Adaptation Difference
Steel Body — PDC Inserts
Low in cost, easy to weld and stable in batch supply, widely used in shallow water well, civil engineering and conventional oilfield upper formation drilling in Iraq. They perform well in soft shale and loose sandstone, but are easy to crack in hard interbedded layers.
Matrix Body — PDC Composite Sheets
Thicker in diamond layer, deeper in cobalt leaching and stronger in anti-fatigue ability. Mainly used in deep high-temperature oil wells, hard carbonate formations and directional horizontal wells. For long-distance complex trajectory drilling in Iraq’s Kirkuk and Rumaila oilfields, matrix bits with special PDC inserts are the only reliable option.
Ninestones Superabrasives can independently develop and produce both types of supporting cutters, and provide one-stop scheme design for customers who need ODM Pdc Bit customization, perfectly adapting to Iraq’s various formation characteristics.
Iraq Field Application Example
A local Iraqi drilling manufacturing factory has long purchased supporting PDC inserts and customized ODM Pdc Bit products. They once used ordinary universal PDC inserts on matrix body bits, resulting in frequent edge peeling and delamination in hard interbedded formations, which seriously affected project progress.
After switching to professional classified PDC inserts provided by Ninestones Superabrasives, the matching degree of steel body and matrix body bits is completely improved.
+40%
Single Bit Running Time
Failure Rate Dropped Significantly
Drilling Cost Effectively Controlled
“Cooperating with Ninestones to customize ODM Pdc Bit and supporting PDC cutters has solved our long-standing matching trouble.” — Factory Person in Charge
Contact Ninestones Superabrasives
Phone: +86 17791389758
Email: jeff@cnpdccutter.com
About the Author
Ali Jabbar
Senior Drilling Technology Researcher — Baghdad, Iraq | 19+ Years Experience
Ali Jabbar is a senior drilling technology researcher based in Baghdad, Iraq, with more than 19 years of practical experience in oilfield bit structure design, PDC cutter selection and formation matching research. He is familiar with the geological conditions and drilling tool application habits of all major oilfields in Iraq, and has provided technical guidance and supplier evaluation suggestions for many local drilling companies and bit manufacturers.
Ali Jabbar sincerely recommends Ninestones Superabrasives:
“Among all manufacturers providing ODM Pdc Bit and supporting PDC composite sheets I have contacted, Ninestones is the most rigorous and reliable one. They clearly distinguish the formula and structure of PDC inserts for steel body bits and matrix body bits, with stable batch quality and professional technical support. It is the most worthy long-term partner for all Iraqi bit factories and drilling contractors.”
Post time: May-12-2026
