Even with low hardness, soft rock limits DTH drill efficiency. In f=1-2 clay, speed depends on slag removal. Paste-likecuttings block channels.
Drill pressure transfer drops from 90% (hard rock) to 55%. Reduce impacts from 350 to 250/min to cut cuttings. Soft rock’s “plastic flow” causes hole collapse.
Maintain ≥0.6MPa flushing pressure, raising air compressor energy by 30%. Slag blockages cause 22% downtime in clay.