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If you are shopping for an impregnated core bit FOB price from a China supplier, you have likely noticed that quotes for the same size and brand can differ dramatically between vendors. That gap is rarely random. It is driven by matrix metallurgy, diamond concentration, crown design, wireline size, and how a factory actually builds the bit. This guide walks through what pricing is made of, the typical price ranges you should expect, and the questions to ask so you do not overpay or under-specify.
An impregnated core bit is not a stamped metal part. It is a sintered tool in which fine synthetic diamond grit is spread evenly through a tungsten-carbide matrix. As the softer matrix erodes during drilling, fresh diamond sharp points are exposed continuously, which is what allows the bit to keep cutting through medium to very hard rock. Because the diamond-to-matrix recipe is different for nearly every formation, two samples that look identical on the outside can carry very different production and material costs.
The five cost drivers you will meet in nearly any FOB quotation are listed below. Understanding them puts you in control of the negotiation instead of the factory.
Rather than quoting one flat number, reputable Chinese factories quote a range because FOB price moves with order volume, specification, and finish. Based on current export-market pricing for wireline sintered bits, expect roughly the following delivered at FOB China, excluding freight and duties:
| Wireline size | Gauge (approx.) | Typical use | FOB band (USD/pc) |
|---|---|---|---|
| BQ / AQ | 59.7 / 47.8 mm | Shallow surveys, environmental sampling | $40 – $80 |
| NQ / NQ3 | 75.4 mm | Mineral exploration, geotechnical drilling | $85 – $120 |
| HQ / HQ3 | 95.7 mm | Deep exploration, hard formation coring | $140 – $180 |
| PQ / PQ3 | 122.3 mm | Large-diameter geotechnical and water well work | $180 – $280 |
Treat these as a sanity check, not gospel. Custom T-series numbers, gear profiles, or heavy-duty matrix blends can push a bit above the top of its band, while generous volumes on a standard NQ3 often pull the unit price down. The important thing is that a quote far outside these bands deserves a concrete technical explanation.
A premium price only earns itself when it buys measurable performance. Before you pay more, ask a supplier to confirm:
Worth the extra money
Often overpriced marketing
The lowest FOB number on paper is only part of the total cost of ownership. A bit that burns out early, or that is sintered to the wrong matrix and tears through a costly drill string, will erase any savings within a few runs. That is why experienced buyers source from a manufacturer that can pair the bit with matching drill rods, casing shoes, reaming shells, and core lifters under one roof, rather than juggling several suppliers with mismatched tolerances.
TY Drill Bits (Xi’an Heaven Abundant Mining Equipment Co., Ltd.) has been manufacturing PDC bits, tricone bits, core bits, and associated rock drilling tools since 2010 from Xi’an, China. Its core bit line covers impregnated, electroplated, TSP, surface-set, PDC, and carbide types across AQ to PQ wireline sizes, all produced in-house under ISO 9001 with OEM service available. Because the design, sintering, and QC stay in one factory, a buyer can request a matrix and profile tailored to a specific formation and get a consistent FOB quote that holds across repeat orders.
Ready to compare an impregnated core bit FOB price for your project? Send your drill size, target formation, and order volume to TY Drill Bits and their engineers will specify the right matrix, profile, and crown before quoting. Contact the TY Drill Bits team for a specification-matched quotation.
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Privacy statement: Your privacy is very important to Us. Our company promises not to disclose your personal information to any external company with out your explicit permission.