When selecting drill bits with reduced breakage potential, it is advisable to consider options made from cobalt steel, carbide, titanium-coated carbide, carbide-tipped carbide, or diamond-coated materials. Each material possesses distinctive advantages, contingent on the particular application and the material being drilled. It is essential to ensure that the selected bit is appropriate for the project at hand, in order to optimise performance and minimise the risk of breakage.
| Type | Composition | Durability | Applications | Benefits |
| Cobalt Steel | High-speed steel with 5-8% cobalt | Highly resistant to heat and wear | Drilling hard materials like stainless steel and cast iron | Can withstand higher temperatures without losing hardness |
| Carbide | Tungsten carbide | Extremely tough and resistant to wear | Drilling hard materials like masonry, ceramics, and hardened steel | Maintains cutting edge longer and less likely to break |
| Titanium-Coated | High-speed steel coated with titanium nitride | Enhanced hardness and reduced friction | Wood, plastic, and softer metals | Increases bit's lifespan and reduces the chances of breaking |
| Carbide Tipped | Steel body with a carbide tip | Combines toughness of steel with hardness of carbide | Drilling through tough materials like concrete and metal | Carbide tip provides excellent cutting ability while steel body adds flexibility |
| High-Speed Steel (HSS) | Mixture of carbon steel and other alloys | Good resistance to heat but less than cobalt or carbide | General-purpose drilling in wood, plastic, and soft metals | While not as durable as cobalt or carbide, high-quality HSS bits can still perform well |
| Diamond-Coated | Bits coated with industrial diamond particles | Extremely hard and ideal for abrasive materials | Drilling glass, tile, and other hard surfaces | Allows for precision drilling in tough materials without breaking easily |
Choose a drill bit made of a harder material that can withstand more pressure and heat to prevent snapping. Cobalt steel, titanium nitride coated, carbide tipped, titanium, and cobalt titanium bits are less likely to snap than standard HSS bits.