What is Drill Rod?

Drill Rod is a round metal bar stock made from tool steel that has been ground and polished to tight tolerances. It is generally supplied unhardened and is therefore readily machine workable, making it an ideal product to use to manufacture tools.

Drill rod is finished within very tight tolerances to ensure there are no defects, allowing for a final product that can withstand shock, is hard-wearing, resists deformation, and can keep an edge while at elevated temperatures. Tools made from drill rod steel are particularly well-suited for working other materials.

What is Drill Rod Used For?

Drill rod is used to manufacture a multitude of tools used for working other materials. It is often used in the tool-making industry for its high strength, hardness, and ability to retain a sharp cutting edge. Common applications include the production of drill bits, reamers, taps, punches, and die sets.

Other specialized applications of different types of drill rod include shock-resistant drill rod for manufacturing high-impact tools such as jackhammer bits, hot working drill rod for high-temperature applications and high-speed drill rod for applications such as power saw blades. Shock-resistant drill rods are particularly valued in construction and demolition industries due to their ability to withstand extreme forces without breaking. Hot-working drill rods are utilized in environments where they must endure continuous exposure to high temperatures, such as in forging and casting operations. High-speed drill rods are indispensable in cutting tools that operate at high velocities, ensuring efficient and precise cutting tasks.

Drill rods are also used in the creation of custom tools and components, prototyping, and repair work where standard tools are unsuitable. The adaptability and reliability of drill rod steel makes it a fundamental material in large-scale industrial applications and smaller, specialized tasks.

What is Drill Rod Made Of?

Drill rod material is typically made from high-carbon steel and alloy steel. These materials give the drill rod its hardness, durability, and resistance to wear. The composition can vary, but the types of drill rods fall into three categories:

• Water Hardened Drill Rod is the most common type and is easily machinable due to the low alloy content. Drill rod that has been water-hardened is hard and durable but not suitable for welding, with typical applications including the manufacturing of hammers and files, machine parts, chisels, drills and razor blades.
• Oil Hardened Drill Rod can be both machined and welded and is typically tough and durable. Typical applications include general woodworking and machining tools, knives, punches, and dies.
• Air Hardened Drill Rod contains the highest alloy content, making it hard and It is commonly used to create specialized tools, including gauges, punches, and shears.

How is Drill Rod Made?

Drill rod is made by machining tool grade steel into rods. This involves selecting high-carbon steel or alloy steel, which is then machined into the desired rod form. The rod is precision ground to a specific tolerance and then polished to have a clean and smooth surface. The polishing process helps ensure the specific tolerance is maintained. A smooth surface improves the aesthetic appearance and enhances the rod’s performance by reducing friction and wear during use.

Drill rod is often tempered prior to machining to relieve the hardness and increase the machinability of the steel. The tempering process involves heating the drill rod material until it glows red and then cooling or quenching it in water, oil, or air, depending on the type of drill rod. Different quenching methods are used to achieve the desired hardness and toughness characteristics specific to each grade.

The rods are then coated with a rust-preventing oil for storage to ensure the polished finish remains untarnished. The coating acts as a protective barrier against moisture and other environmental factors that could potentially cause corrosion.

If you need high-quality drill rod or other metal products, look no further than Metal Supermarkets. With a wide selection of materials and a commitment to customer satisfaction, Metal Supermarkets is your one-stop shop for all your metal needs. Visit our website or stop by one of our locations to make your purchase today.