The future of hard-rock excavation: stronger, smarter Cutting Picks

The latest generation of Cutting picks features improved carbide grades, enhanced anti-wear coatings, and optimized head geometries. These advancements enable faster cutting speeds in extremely hard rock while reducing heat buildup and premature wear. Future designs may incorporate integrated sensors, providing real-time health monitoring and enabling predictive maintenance in mining operations.

1. What Is a Cutting Pick? (Definition & Function)

A cutting pick is a replaceable cutting tool used on rotating drums or cutting heads of mining and construction equipment. It typically consists of:

• A carbide tip (tungsten carbide)

• A steel body

• A brazed joint between the carbide and steel

• A retention sleeve or clip to fix it on the tool holder

Cutting picks are designed to fracture rock, coal, asphalt, or frozen soil through a combination of impact, shearing, and abrasion.

Primary Functions

• Cutting and breaking solid materials

• Maintaining optimal penetration during excavation

• Protecting the cutting drum and reducing wear

• Ensuring stable energy consumption and machine efficiency

High-quality cutting picks reduce downtime, extend machine life, and lower overall operational costs.

2. Cutting Pick Types and Specifications

Different industries require different pick geometries, sizes, and materials. Below are the common categories:

2.1 By Application

Mining Picks

Used for coal mines, soft rock, and semi-hard rock cutting. Designed for continuous miners, shearers, roadheaders, and longwall equipment.

Tunneling Picks

Designed for TBMs and tunnel roadheaders with enhanced impact resistance.

Trenching Picks

Mounted on trenchers used in pipeline, cable laying, and municipal engineering.

Foundation Drilling Picks

Used on drilling rigs for hard strata or mixed ground conditions.

Milling Picks

Used for asphalt milling and concrete planing with high wear resistance.

2.2 Standard Technical Specifications

Carbide Tip Dimensions

• Diameter: 10–20 mm

• Height: 8–15 mm

• Shape: Conical / Semi-conical / Wear-protected

Pick Body Sizes

• Overall length: 100–180 mm

• Body diameter: 30–50 mm

• Shaft type: Straight, tapered, or reinforced

Hardness Requirements

• Carbide hardness: HRA 88–92

• Steel body hardness: HRC 40–50

• Brazing layer: High-temperature silver-based alloy

Working Performance

• Impact resistance

• Anti-fracture performance

• Thermal stability

• Abrasion resistance

Proper specification selection is critical for long service life.

3. Cutting Pick Materials: How Quality Determines Performance

Material quality determines the durability and cutting efficiency of picks. Premium materials significantly reduce the frequency of replacement and prevent catastrophic failures.

3.1 Tungsten Carbide Grades

Carbide is the most important part of any cutting pick. Common grades include:

Premium carbide ensures:

• Better impact resistance

• Higher penetration rate

• Slower tip wear

• Reduced tip breakage

3.2 Alloy Steel Body Materials

High-strength alloy steels are used to support the carbide tip:

Common Materials

• 42CrMo

• 40CrNiMoA

• 35CrMnSiA

• Customized boron steel

Essential Performance Indicators

• High toughness to absorb impact

• Resistance to deformation

• Good weldability and machinability

3.3 Brazing Materials

Silver-based brazing alloys offer:

• High temperature tolerance

• Strong bonding

• Anti-impact performance

Without proper brazing, carbide tips may detach during operation—one of the most dangerous failures in mining equipment.

4. How Cutting Picks Are Manufactured: Complete Production Process

Step 1: Raw Material Preparation

• Carbide powders are mixed and sintered

• Alloy steels are forged or cast

Step 2: CNC Precision Machining

Accurate shaping of the steel body ensures:

• Proper pick geometry

• Smooth insertion into tool holders

• Uniform performance

Step 3: Carbide Tip Sintering

Modern sintering techniques include:

• Vacuum sintering

• HIP (Hot Isostatic Pressing) sintering

• Cemented carbide grading

Step 4: Brazing

High-temperature induction brazing joins carbide with steel:

• Brazing temp: 850–1000°C

• Silver alloy filler

• Constant monitoring to avoid porosity

Step 5: Heat Treatment

Ensures steel strength and elasticity:

• Quenching

• Tempering

• Hardness adjusting (HRC 40–50)

Step 6: Surface Treatment

• Sand blasting

• Anti-corrosion treatment

• Chrome plating (optional)

Step 7: Quality Inspection

Checks include:

• Carbide microstructure

• Brazing strength

• Hardness test

• Dynamic impact test

• Wear simulation

A single manufacturing defect can shorten tool life by up to 70%.

5. Application Scenarios: Where Cutting Picks Are Used

Cutting picks are widely used in:

5.1 Underground Coal Mining

• Longwall shearers

• Continuous miners

• Roadheaders

Advantages:

• High cutting efficiency

• Stable penetration

• Reduced sparks in coal mines

5.2 Hard Rock and Tunnel Excavation

Used in TBMs and roadheaders:

• Basalt

• Granite

• Limestone

These picks require extreme wear resistance and thermal stability.

5.3 Trenching & Pipeline Construction

Used to cut:

• Sandstone

• Clay

• Mixed soil

Stable cutting performance ensures deeper, more uniform trenches.

5.4 Asphalt and Concrete Milling

Road milling machines use picks to remove:

• Asphalt pavements

• Road surfaces

• Airport runways

High-temperature resistant carbide is essential.

5.5 Foundation Engineering

Cutting through:

• Frozen ground

• Compacted soil

• Weathered rock

Reinforced picks improve drilling speeds.

6. How to Choose the Right Cutting Pick (Expert Guide)

Step 1: Understand Your Material

Step 2: Check Machine Compatibility

Different machines require specific:

• Shank diameters

• Retaining systems

• Body lengths

Step 3: Evaluate Operating Conditions

Consider:

• Temperature

• Impact load

• Abrasiveness

• Working hours

Step 4: Review Supplier Quality Guarantees

Look for:

• ISO certifications

• Full inspection system

• Sample testing

• Material traceability

7. Usage Guidelines for Maximizing Cutting Pick Life

Proper usage dramatically extends the lifespan of cutting picks.

7.1 Inspect Picks Daily

Check for:

• Excessive wear

• Cracks

• Carbide tip loss

• Body deformation

7.2 Maintain Cutting Drum Condition

A damaged drum accelerates pick wear 3–5×.

7.3 Replace Picks in Sets

Uneven replacement causes:

• Imbalanced cutting

• Higher vibration

• Damaged bearings

7.4 Keep an Eye on Temperature

Overheating occurs when:

• Cutting surface is too hard

• Drum pressure is too high

• Picks are blunt

7.5 Lubricate Holders

Keeps picks rotating freely.

8. Common Problems & Solutions (FAQ)

Q1: Why do carbide tips fall off?

Causes

• Poor brazing

• Excessive heat

• Overloaded cutting

Solutions

• Use high-temp brazing materials

• Reduce drum pressure

• Improve cooling

Q2: Picks wear too fast—why?

Possible reasons

• Wrong carbide grade

• Harder rock than expected

• Low-quality steel

Fix
Select high-wear grades like YG16C or ultra-fine carbide.

Q3: The pick body breaks frequently—what’s wrong?

Likely due to:

• Insufficient heat treatment

• Structural defects

• Rock too hard for standard design

Q4: Machine vibrates heavily during cutting

Possible causes:

• Dull picks

• Missing picks

• Drum imbalance

Q5: How often should picks be replaced?

Depends on:

• Material hardness

• Machine type

• Carbide grade

General rule: Replace when carbide is worn by 60–70%.

9. Why Quality Cutting Picks Reduce Project Cost

Choosing better picks increases:

• Productivity

• MTBF (mean time between failures)

• Cutting speed

And reduces:

• Energy consumption

• Machine repair costs

• Downtime

Saving millions annually in large mining operations.

Conclusion

Cutting picks are critical consumables that directly influence the efficiency, safety, and cost of mining and construction operations. By understanding their materials, manufacturing processes, applications, and performance characteristics, businesses can make informed procurement decisions and optimize their cutting systems for long-term reliability.