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 between 1/2- and 1-in diameter. PDC bits are effective at drilling shale formations, especially when used in combination with oil-base muds.

Synonyms: polycrystalline diamond compact bit

See related terms: antiwhirl bit,  bit