Cobalt Vs. Titanium Drill Bit
Whether a person is trying to bore a hole in wood, glass, metal or brick, there are drill bits for every occasion. Two of the more popular types of drill bits are cobalt and titanium bits. Each has several applications that make them perfect for a number of given tasks. Choosing the right drill bit for a project can sometimes make all the difference. Does this Spark an idea?
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Uses
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There are several uses for drill bits. Almost any material can be manipulated by drill bits. The choice application for cobalt and titanium drill bits is in manipulating very hard materials such as steel.
Cobalt
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Most of the time, cobalt drill bits are used in production settings where repeated drillings occur daily. Cobalt bits are also known for their high resistance to heat, which is important when bits are in constant use. This type of bit is ideal for drilling into hard materials such as steel, iron and titanium. Also, cobalt drill bits can be sharpened many times before they need to be replaced.
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Titanium
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Titanium drill bits are made by applying a layer of titanium to HSS (high speed steel) drill bits. This type of drill bit has a very high surface hardness and resists corrosion very well. Since titanium only covers the surface of these drill bits, they cannot be sharpened without compromising the titanium coating.
Comparison
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Both cobalt and titanium drill bits are ideal for cutting through metal. Titanium drill bits may be stronger than cobalt drill bits, but they cannot be sharpened, like cobalt. Titanium bits reduce friction between materials better than cobalt bits, which tend to be more abrasive.
Cost
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Cobalt and titanium drill bit prices can vary from location to location, but they are always more expensive than steel and high speed steel drill bits. Larger drill bits made of either material will cost more than smaller ones. Both cobalt and titanium drill bits are priced comparably, titanium bits costing a little more than cobalt. Their prices range anywhere from $3 to $25, depending on the size
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