HSS vs cobalt vs carbide-tipped vs solid carbide vs diamond — a practical selection guide for buyers, engineers and importers.
Choose HSS (DIN 338) for everyday metal, wood and plastic; cobalt HSS-Co (M35 / M42) for stainless steel and hard alloys; carbide-tipped bits (DIN 8035, SDS-plus / SDS-max) for concrete, brick and stone; solid carbide for hardened steel and CNC high-speed work; and diamond tooling for tile, glass and granite. Match the bit material to the workpiece and the cutting temperature stays under control — that is the whole decision in one sentence.
| Bit material | Best for | Typical standards | Key trait |
|---|---|---|---|
| HSS twist drill | Everyday metal, wood, plastic | DIN 338 (standard), DIN 340 (long), DIN 1869 (extra long), DIN 345 (taper shank) | 118° point, low cost, all-round |
| Cobalt HSS-Co | Stainless steel, titanium, hard alloys | M35 (5% Co), M42 (8% Co) | Higher hot hardness, edge stays sharp at high cutting temperature |
| Carbide-tipped masonry / hammer | Concrete, brick, stone, block | DIN 8035 (SDS-plus), ANSI (SDS-max) | High-carbon steel body + brazed industrial carbide tip, 130° point |
| Solid carbide drill | Hardened steel, abrasive alloys, CNC production | Whole tungsten-carbide body | Hardest and most wear-resistant, but brittle — needs rigid setup |
| Diamond tooling | Tile, glass, granite, marble | Brazed / laser-welded / electroplated crown | Cuts by abrasion on brittle non-ferrous materials |
For carbon steel, cast iron, aluminium, copper and most non-ferrous metals, a standard HSS twist drill to DIN 338 is the right answer. It holds a 118° point, covers diameters from roughly 0.2 mm to 20 mm in the common range, and is the most economical choice in volume. Choose DIN 340 or DIN 1869 when you need extra flute length for deep holes, and DIN 345 with a taper shank for larger diameters and heavier machines.
Use a cobalt HSS-Co drill. M35 contains about 5% cobalt and M42 about 8%; the cobalt addition raises the hot hardness of the steel, so the edge keeps its hardness where a plain HSS bit would soften and wear in minutes. Pair it with a 135° split point: it is self-centering, resists walking on curved surfaces and reduces thrust. This combination is the standard answer for stainless steel, titanium and work-hardening alloys.
Use a carbide-tipped masonry or hammer drill bit: a high-carbon steel body with a brazed industrial-grade carbide tip that crushes brittle material instead of cutting it. For rotary-hammer work the standard is DIN 8035 (SDS-plus) with a 130° point; larger demolition work moves to SDS-max. FANXI masonry bits are available in R (round shank), U (square shank) and L (slanted shank) flute families to match different hammer systems and dust removal needs.
Wood wants geometry, not brute hardness. Brad point bits locate precisely for clean dowel holes, auger bits pull chips out of deep structural timbers, and flat (spade) bits drill large diameters quickly in softwood and plywood. HSS or high-carbon steel bodies are normal; carbide-tipped versions earn their cost only in the hardest laminated or exotic hardwoods.
Brittle, hard, non-ferrous materials are the territory of diamond tooling. Electroplated diamond spear bits drill tile and glass gently; brazed and laser-welded diamond core bits cut granite, marble and concrete for anchors and pipework. There is no “sharper” option than diamond — it cuts by abrasion, which is exactly what these materials need.
Solid carbide drills are the choice when the workpiece is hardened steel, cast alloys or an abrasive material, or when CNC production drilling demands rigidity and long tool life. They cost more and they are brittle, so they need a rigid machine and stable clamping — in exchange they hold diameter and finish far longer than HSS in hard, abrasive work.
Cobalt drill bits are high-speed steel bits with 5% (M35) or 8% (M42) cobalt added to the alloy. The cobalt raises hot hardness, so the cutting edge stays sharp at higher cutting temperatures. Use standard HSS for everyday metal, wood and plastic; use cobalt for stainless steel, titanium and other hard or work-hardening alloys.
No. Masonry and hammer drill bits have a brazed carbide tip designed to crush brittle materials such as concrete, brick and stone. On steel the tip overheats and wears very fast. For metal, use HSS or cobalt twist drill bits.
118° is the general-purpose point angle for HSS twist drills in metal and wood. A 135° split point is self-centering and resists walking, which makes it the better choice for stainless steel and hard alloys. Carbide-tipped hammer drill bits typically use a 130° point.
Yes. FANXI produces 110+ SKUs across HSS twist drills, cobalt drills, masonry and hammer bits (SDS-plus and SDS-max), wood bits, solid carbide drills and diamond tooling, with OEM and ODM service from a 50 pcs minimum order. Send us your application and we will recommend the right series.
