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polycrystalline diamond compact (PDC) bit

1. n. []

A drilling tool that uses polycrystalline diamond compact (PDC) cutters to shear rock with a continuous scraping motion. These cutters are synthetic diamond disks about 1/8-in thick and about 1/2 to 1 in in diameter. PDC bits are effective at drilling shale formations, especially when used in combination with oil-based muds.

Synonyms: fixed-cutter bit

See: bit

Photograph of PDC bit.