The Golden Shank corrosion protection coating could help improve the sustainability footprint in manufacturing with its lower environmental impact.

A drill's shank adapter operates in harsh underground terrain and often uses highly corrosive water as flushing media.

Over a working lifetime the shank adapter faces reduced fatigue properties, stress corrosion cracking and embrittlement, with breakages during drilling a constant challenge.

The Golden Shank coating is applied over the entire shank and flushing slot but not over the striking area.

Sandvik product manager Thomas Blomfeldt said even at mine sites where corrosion was not prevalent, Golden Shank field tests had consistently showed two-to-three times greater performance life than other similar market options.

He said pushing the drill rig further between service intervals let customers proactively schedule shank adapter replacements during service stops and mitigate time-consuming and costly unexpected breakages during drilling operations.

"Prioritising operator safety and minimising environmental impact through reduced tool replacements are critical considerations in our product development process," Blomfeldt said.

"The Golden Shank will enable some customers to potentially double efficiency."

Blomfeldt said the extended service life of the shank adapter enhanced safety and sustainability for customers by reducing operator handling and heavy lifting, inventory needs and emissions from transportation.