So while carbide drill bits are very hard, and can cut through some of the most difficult materials, they’re also brittle and can break if not used properly. Hardness refers to the surface of the material – essentially, how easy it is to scratch or dull its surface – while brittleness refers to how easy it is to break. That’s because, when it comes to tools, hardness is just one of the factors that determines a material’s overall strength. It might seem counter-intuitive, but carbide is both the hardest drill bit – up to five times harder than steel – as well as the most brittle. Let’s take a look at the hardness of each type of drill bit, as well as some of the things to keep in mind when choosing between carbide and cobalt drill bits.Ĭontact Us What’s the hardest type of drill bit?

Longer drill bits can be more brittle and break easily, even if they’re made out of a strong material. The type of drill bit that you need depends on several factors, including the material that you’re cutting, but also the length of drill bit that you need. They can cut through concrete, masonry, tile, and more. They’re commonly used in industrial applications due to their superior strength.

Carbide drill bits are often made out of steel with a carbide tip. Then there’s carbide, which in this case is actually tungsten carbide and is a compound of tungsten and carbon. Titanium drill bits are usually made out of steel with a titanium coating, so they aren’t as strong as cobalt drill bits, and are liable to lose their coating over time. However, while high-speed steel is capable of many types of maintenance tasks, it isn’t suitable for more industrial uses, which is where other materials come in.Ĭobalt drill bits are made with a steel alloy containing 5-8% cobalt, so they can be used to cut into steel and other hard metals like cast iron.

HSS drill bits cut faster than other types of steel, which is where they get their name. High-speed steel (HSS) is commonly used in drill bits and power saw blades because it’s affordable and capable of cutting through wood, plastic, and soft steel. Some drill bits are tipped or coated with a second material to make them stronger or more resistant to rust. Many drill bits aren’t made of a single element, but are made out of a steel alloy. First, we need to understand how drill bits are actually constructed.

Sharpening cobalt drill bits