Cobalt vs Titanium Drill Bits [What’s the Difference]

Drills are used for several different purposes in the manufacturing industry, but cobalt vs. titanium drill bits – what’s the difference?

Both cobalt and titanium have their own sets of pros and cons.

Cobalt drills are more durable than titanium drills, they last longer when drilling hard materials such as metal or concrete.

Titanium drill bits on the other hand can withstand higher temperatures while also being lightweight.

In this article, we’ll show you what cobalt and titanium drill bits are, their pros and cons, and how they’re used in industrial applications such as manufacturing.

What is Cobalt Drill Bit?

Cobalt is a metal that is used in making drill bits. They are used for drilling holes in metal, cutting deep into bricks and concrete.

Cobalt bits are a combination of steel (or another alloy) mixed with a small percentage of cobalt, typically between 5 – 7%. According to this blog, cobalt has a melting point of 1495°C and a boiling point of 2927°C, which makes it perfect for use at high temperatures.

By combining a small amount of cobalt with another alloy, the results are incredible. It is a great choice for drilling in places like furnaces or car mufflers

This also makes cobalt drill bits the best option if you are looking to bore through hard materials such as metal.

Common Uses of Cobalt Drill Bits

Cobalt drill bits are commonly used to cut through hardened materials that steel alone would struggle with.

It can also be used for other purposes such as:

• Forged metal seams
• Bronze castings
• Stainless Steel Armor Plate

These versatile pieces are often employed in hand drills or lathes when drilling holes in stainless steel!

Pros and Cons of Cobalt Drill Bits

Pros

• Cobalt drill bits provide exceptional hardness and durability for their cost.
• They can go longer without breaking when drilling through metal or concrete, which makes cobalt drills a great investment if you are looking to bore into these materials often.
• Cobalt drill bits are a great tool for anyone who needs to do work on soft materials like brass or aluminum.
• Also, you can rely on these bits for a long time. They have higher durability than most other brands, lasting 20+ years instead of just 5 or so!
• It’s not even hard to sharpen them after they break. Just do it once and they’re good as new again.

Cons

The downside of cobalt is that cobalt drill bits are more expensive in comparison to titanium.

What are Titanium Drill Bits?

Titanium drill bits are a type of drill bit, which is used to make holes in various materials.

Titanium drill bits are high-speed steel drill bits (HSS) that have a titanium oxide coating, they are a must-have addition to any tool collection.

Titanium drill bits are heat resistant up to 1500F, with the coating acting as a barrier between other types of metal. They are tough and able to drill into hard materials. 

They come in many different varieties, such as TiN (Titanium Nitride) coating which is durable and capable of handling high temperatures like no other metal can!

They are very hard and corrosion-resistant. The drilling bits work well with any type of wood and can be used on plastic or PVC.

A great advantage to using these drill bits is that they are perfect for drilling through steel, copper, brass, or aluminum materials as well.

They also have excellent results in metal cutting machines where precise holes are required.

What Can Titanium Drill Bits Do?

The uses for titanium drills depend on the size and shape of the tip you use- they could be used for metal, wood, or even titanium.

For drilling in construction sites, titanium drill bits can drill faster and stronger than other drill bits.

They are the second hardest material after diamond, which means they also last longer.

The split point tip has been engineered so that it provides clean holes accurately with no skates when drilling. That is 2X longer life than standard drill bits.

The flat shank design on these titanium drills also promotes better gripping so you don’t have any problems with slipping or slippage in your work area.

For surgical purposes, a titanium needle drill bit is used primarily for producing holes in the bone.

Titanium has a very high strength-to-weight ratio, which is desirable for this application as it reduces the risk of breaking a drill bit during surgery.

The higher hardness levels and tensile strength of titanium also make it ideal for drilling through thick surfaces with precise cuts into hard and brittle materials.

Pros and Cons of Titanium Drill Bits

Pros

• Titanium drill bits are titanium coated for increased durability
• Titanium drill bits have a low friction coefficient to reduce heat buildup
• Titanium drills come in many different shapes and sizes which makes them perfect for any job at hand

Cons

• Titanium drill bits are also expensive
• The hardness of titanium makes it difficult to sharpen after extended use
• Titanium nitride coating on these drills expires after a certain amount of time. You may need to buy new drilling bits when this happens.
• Not suitable for hard metals such as stainless steel and cast iron

How Do You Determine The Correct Drill Bit To Use?

The type of material you are drilling will ultimately determine the drill bit to use.

For example, cobalt is more durable than titanium so it would be best for tougher jobs and materials like steel or concrete.

Titanium drills can only be used in softer materials like wood or plastic. It may not provide the same longevity that cobalt offers when bore into surfaces like brass or aluminum.

Titanium has a lower friction coefficient which allows them to run cooler than cobalt bits.

This makes titanium beneficial if your application involves running at high speeds for long periods of time.

The hardness level on each drill bit determines what they can do with their drill.

For example, cobalt bits are hard and perfect for drilling through steel or concrete whereas titanium drills can only be used in softer materials like wood or plastic.

The shape of the head on your bit is also imperative to consider before purchasing one.

You want a pointed tip when drilling into metal surfaces while flat shank heads work better for wood applications.

Drilling Steel COBALT VS TITANIUM Drill Bits Test

Cobalt Drill Bits vs Titanium Drill Bits: Which is Better

To answer this question, cobalt and titanium drill bits both have their own advantages and disadvantages.

It actually depends on how they are being used on whether cobalt or titanium is the better option.

The two are also used for various purposes, which makes them best for different drilling needs.

If you’re looking to drill something professional-grade and with a twist-action, then cobalt bits will do the trick!

These drills are more expensive but worth it considering how well they work.

If you’re looking for a drill bit that can handle delicate materials with precision, then check out the HSS Titanium Bit.

This is an affordable option and will work great on soft metals like copper or wood.

We hope this article has helped you better understand the differences between cobalt and titanium drill bits.

There are many pros and cons to each type of bit, so it’s important that you know what your needs are before making a purchase decision.

Remember to take into consideration factors such as price, use case, durability, corrosion resistance when deciding which drill bit is best for you!