Overview
ISO 10097-2:1999 - "Wireline diamond core drilling equipment - System A - Part 2: Inch units" defines the nomenclature and leading dimensions required for the interchangeability of wireline drilling components in inch units. It applies to equipment used to drill holes of diameter 1.890 in to 3.790 in, producing cores of diameter 1.063 in to 2.500 in. Covered components include the core bit, reaming shell, core lifter, core lifter case, outer tube, inner tube, and drill rod (smooth pipe only). The standard provides dimension tables, figures and an informative annex on drill-rod thread dimensions.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Dimensional identification and interchangeability
- Designation system using identification letters (A, B, N, H, etc.) and tables for nominal sizes.
- Detailed tables (Tables 3–9) giving maximum/minimum dimensions for WLA, WLB, WLN and WLH size families.
- Materials and mechanical properties
- Minimum mechanical properties for drill rods and core tubes: tensile strength 100 000 lbf/in²; yield strength 80 000 lbf/in²; elongation 15%. Other items not specified.
- Threads and thread geometry
- Annex A provides principal dimensions and thread data (taper, pitch, widths and lengths) for drill rod threads.
- Tolerances and technical checks
- All dimensions/tolerances in inches.
- Eccentricity: distance between outer and inner centers must not exceed 10% of nominal wall thickness; formula provided in the standard.
- Straightness: maximum deviation when rolled against a straightedge - 1 in 2 000 for drill rods and 1 in 1 500 for core tubes.
- Tubes should preferably be seamless; rolling and machining options described.
- Conformity notes
- Rod length conventions: metric users (3.0 m, 1.5 m, 0.75 m); DCDMA/CDDA convention (10 ft, 5 ft, 2.5 ft).
Applications and who uses this standard
- Manufacturers and OEMs of core barrels, bits, tubes and drill rods - to produce interchangeable components.
- Drilling contractors, mining engineers, geotechnical teams - to specify compatible tooling and reduce downtime.
- Procurement, inspection and quality-control teams - for acceptance criteria, dimensional inspection and material verification.
- Designers and maintenance crews - for thread and component compatibility during repairs and inventory management.
Related standards
- ISO 10097-1 (Part 1: Metric units) - companion metric specification.
- ISO 3551-2 - referenced normative document for System A rotary core diamond drilling (inch units).
Keywords: ISO 10097-2:1999, wireline diamond core drilling equipment, inch units, core bit, reaming shell, core lifter, drill rod dimensions, interchangeability, thread dimensions, eccentricity, straightness, drilling standards.