Titanium Drill Bits vs Cobalt Drill Bits

Cobalt and titanium-coated drill bits are two of the most durable drill bits. Both are very strong and powerful. When they come into contact with other metals, they are designed to prevent overheating, which is why an HSS drill bit is necessary for metal drilling.

However, there are a few major variations between cobalt drill bits and titanium drill bits; here, you will find those differences.

Titanium Drill Bits: What are they?

Titanium drill bits are made of high-speed steel and have a coating of titanium nitride (TiN). This strong ceramic substance is immediately identifiable due to its distinctive golden color. TiN is made up of a mixture of titanium and nitrogen that creates a strong coating over the drill bit's base, enhancing its performance. Because of their titanium coating, these drill bits are stronger and more durable than regular HSS bits.

Benefits of Titanium Drill bits

• Heat resistance: Due to their hardness, these drill bits can withstand heat, which reduces their susceptibility to wear and tear.

• Long-lasting: The titanium coating gives the bits an additional layer of hardness, extending their lifespan. Additionally, it provided a smooth finish by lowering friction between a workpiece and a bit.

• Versatile: Titanium drill bits are incredibly adaptable. Because of their inherent ability to withstand heat, they can work with a variety of thick materials, including wood, hard metal, thick steel, and alloys.

Cobalt drill bits: what are they?

Cobalt drill bits are composed of a steel alloy that contains 5 to 8 percent cobalt rather than pure cobalt. The 8% alloy is called M42, and the 5% alloy is called M35 grade. Cobalt gives the steel extra strength and improves its resistance to heat.

Cobalt drill bits are made to cope with heavy-duty, high-tensile metals. When drilling stainless steel, cobalt is added as an alloy to improve the parent metal's strength and heat resistance.

Benefits of Cobalt Drill Bits

• Durable: Because of their cobalt alloy coating, cobalt drill bits are more resilient and long-lasting. The coating increases the bits' resistance to wear and prolongs the bit's sharpness.

• Outstanding heat resistance: Cobalt drill bits are perfect for drilling hard materials like steel and cast iron because they can tolerate high temperatures.

• Perfect for Hard Metals: This drill bit is ideal for drilling into tougher metals such as titanium, cast iron, and stainless steel.

Titanium Drill Bits Vs. Cobalt Drill Bits: Main Differences

The main differences between titanium drill bits and cobalt drill bits are:

Applications Of Cobalt and Titanium Drill Bits

Two types of High-Speed Steel (HSS) bits are cobalt and titanium drill bits for metal. They are both made of steel, but their coating is where it makes a difference between them. Cobalt and titanium drill bits can work with any power drill. These drill bits perform many of the same functions and look similar, apart from their color.

These two drill bits are the most powerful. They are designed to cut hard materials. While they're used more commonly for metal, they also work for hardwoods.

• Metal Applications

Both cobalt bits and titanium drill bits are common for metal applications, including materials such as iron, steel, and aluminum. They are used to make holes and drill screws through the tough metal. These bits are built to operate with high-speed drills, ensuring they can spin at maximum speeds without losing their shape when drilling through hard materials.

• Wood Applications

Titanium and cobalt bits are also used to make holes and drill in wood.

They also look similar to the twist bits (wood bits). They differ in their tips. Wood drill bits have a brad, which is a sharp, pointed piece on their tips; it allows the bit to drill into the wood without slipping.

However, titanium and cobalt bits have a non-branded angled edge. When using them on wood surfaces, there is a risk of the bit shifting from the surface, which can slice or damage the woodwork piece.

Differences Between Cobalt and Titanium Coatings

There are many similarities between cobalt drill bits for metal and titanium bits, and they are also used for some similar applications, but there are a few differences. The main variations come in the composition of these drill bits.  Cobalt and titanium do not work the same, so cobalt and titanium coatings will make your drill bits perform differently from each other.

• Titanium drill bits are coated with titanium nitride or carbonitride, which is gold and bluish-gray in color. The coating improves the drill bit's power while allowing it to survive at maximum speed.
• Cobalt drill bits have no coating. They are made with a combination of steel alloy & cobalt. The cobalt enhances the drill bits’ power, thus preventing the bit from getting too hot as it spins against other metals as well.

What To Choose Between Cobalt and Titanium Drill Bits?

What are the best drill bits for metal between cobalt drill bits and titanium drill bits for your drilling project? This mostly relies on your short and long-term working goals.

You can choose cobalt drill bits if you have a good investment amount and long-term projects; as we discussed earlier, cobalt bits are a bit expensive, although they have a longer life and are more durable. They are perfect for drilling hard metals.

For soft metals and wood drills, you can choose titanium drill bits. They work well and cost less. However, they need more regular sharpening and can lose their coating during operation.