Different types of metal used to make drill bits

Drill bits are made in various metals to suit different types of jobs from metal work. woodwork and masonary work so have listed a chart to help you choose the correct bit for your job.  You can see our range of drill bits by clicking link or visit our website pagesoftools.co.uk for our full range of DIY and hobby tools

Drill Bit Material

Drill bits may be made from a number of metals, each of which has advantages for specific applications. As the metal becomes more rigid, it also becomes more brittle and less able to be sharpened when it dulls. The table below summarises the characteristics of common drill bit materials and their preferred applications.

Drill Bit Material	General Characteristics	Preferred Applications
Low Carbon Steel	Inexpensive, require sharpening or replacement	Wood, soft plastics
Chrome Vanadium alloy or VA	[1]	Wood
High Carbon steel	May lose temper and cutting edge if overheated	Wood, metal
High Speed Steel or HSS	Preferred among production workers because of ability to retain temper at very high speeds	Wood, metal, plastics, most ceramics
Colbart Steel Alloy	High performance and longevity; more brittle than HSS	Metals including stainless steel
Titanium and Other Ceramic Coatings: Black oxide,  Titanium Aluminium Nitride, Titanium Carbon Nitride	Give softer bits higher performance	More difficult materials than base bit could handle
Tungsten Carbide and Carbide Tipped	Strongest, hardest of all bits; all-carbide is very expensive; carbide-tipped is very effective at more reasonable price	Virtually any material including stone