Black Oxide vs Titanium Drill Bits – Choose the Right One

The evolution of tools has led us to the fact that we have several kinds of drill bits. It is very easy to get confused about what drill bits are.

What options are there? Which is better?

What should I choose for steel or a difficult teenager – aluminum? There are many questions, and this is justified.

Different types of drills bits have approximately the same values. Most of them are durable, resistant to corrosion and work quickly. The stumbling block is here.

I’ll help you figure out what’s best right now.

Black Oxide Vs Titanium Drill Bits

I suggest that you begin the analysis of the main types and determine the difference between these. Let’s start with black oxide drill bits.

Black Oxide Drill Bits

 
To get a black oxide bit only one way can be – to heat the bit to 950 degrees Fahrenheit.

But why do this?

This treatment is important to resist rust and corrosion. It is also useful to reduce friction between the part and the bit. In the end, this will speed up the drilling process.

So, many people use black oxide bits to work with steel, aluminum, copper, oak, brass, maple, MDF, PVC, acrylic, poly carbonate, nylon, and many other sturdy materials.

Black oxide bits have a high level of durability it stays at 50% longer than other bits.

First, it is due to the rust and corrosion are not dangerous for this type of drill bits. But these are the two main problems that shorten the life of bits.

As you know, strength determines durability. Black oxide bits are strong and have a high speed.

Is this the best choice?

In many ways, yes. Black oxide bits are some of the best bits for steel. After all, it is resistant to corrosion, gives low friction, drills quickly, and fits most of the existing coatings.

Titanium Drill Bits

 

Are there people who doubt that the titanium is not strong? Such people do not exist just like a weak titanium. This material is one of the hardest and most durable that exists in nature.

The HSS bit or titanium bits have the same high strength as the base material has it. The bit has a solid metallic base of titanium. But the cover has another.

It is titanium nitride. In turn, the process of obtaining titanium nitride is an electroplating.

Probably, you think:

How can electroplating be useful in drilling?

Electroplating provides a thermal barrier that provides friction. In addition, this coating is resistant to corrosion. Probably, this has a high performance precisely for this reason.

The absence of corrosion increases the lifetime. Bats with an electroplating or titanium bits are long-lived of all bits.

There’s no doubt that it’s pretty solid, so much so that people use it in the industry. That is, titanium bits can work with hardened metal. Yes, it’s solid.

It is important to note that electroplating is a ceramic material. It increases the hardness of the bit surface and gives a thermal barrier. The friction between the bit and the part is reduced. So, we are dealing with high performance.

For what materials can you use a titanium bit?

It is great for drilling steel, aluminum, iron, wood, and magnesium. It also quickly drills materials that are used in production.

Do not be afraid that rough materials can break a bit. The coating of the titanium bit eliminates the shavings of the material through the grooves. For example, aluminum leaves adhering chips.

Electroplating does not allow the tip of the bit to become dull because it will destroy the cutters forever.

 

What Other Types Exist?

Yes, drill bits do not end with titanium and black oxide bits. There are also cobalt bits and high-speed bits.

Cobalt bits

Cobalt bits was doped with 5 or 8 percent cobalt.

Cobalt has many advantages that will be useful in the work.

To begin with, cobalt has a high resistance to massive heat. It occurs when drilling of highly abrasive or hard metals occurs. If you drill stainless steel, cast iron or titanium, massive heat will arise.

Cobalt bits have a high-grade cobalt coating, so it is a durable tool with high performance. For comparison, titanium bits have less performance than cobalt ones, as the titanium coating is not at all bit.

This type of bits has an additional hardness, which makes it possible to make smaller in percentage grooves from the total thickness. It increases the strength of the bits.

Cobalt bits are also good for sharpening, if necessary. It is important to note that when sharpening, cobalt does not lose its effectiveness.

However, cobalt bits are not used as public bits. We can say that cobalt bits are a lot of professionals only.

High-speed bits (HSS)

High-speed bits are designed to work with soft steel, wood, and plastic. It is also good for working with cobalt.

By the way, cobalt is upgraded from high-speed bits. The matter is that HSS have in the composition of 5 to 8% of cobalt, which was mixed with stainless steel and hard steel, carbide.

It turns out that high-speed steel bit is the heaviest of the existing bits because it contains a lot of heavy materials.

Therefore, HSS is used for drilling, not for hand drills.It is again a variant of drills for professionals, not for amateurs and domestic chores.

Conclusion

If you are not a professional, then using cobalt or high-speed steel bits does not make sense, as this is not suitable for a hand drill.

You can choose any of the other strong bits, such as black oxide and titanium bits. In both cases, it is strong, durable, and productive.

There is one “but”.

Black oxide bits are suitable for more materials, and titanium bits are inferior in strength, as that do not have a full titanium coating.

If you choose between black oxide bits and titanium beads, look at the black oxide. Perhaps it will suit you more.

Also Read:

1. Metal Drill Bit vs Wood Drill Bit
2. How to Change Drill Bit Black and Decker Perfectly