What are the different types of carbide tools?
Types of Carbide Tools: Inserts, End Mills, Drills and More
The main types of carbide tools are indexable carbide inserts, solid carbide tools (end mills, drills, reamers), carbide-tipped or brazed tools, and specialised carbide tools for grooving, threading and boring. They are further divided by ISO grade (P, M, K, N, S, H) according to the material being machined.
Not sure which carbide tool you need? Tell us your material, machine and operation and we will point you to the right tool.
Carbide Tools by Type
Carbide is used across almost every machining operation. This table summarises the main tool types and where they are used.
| Tool type | What it is | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Indexable inserts | Replaceable carbide cutting edges clamped in a holder or cutter body | CNC turning, facing, milling, grooving, threading |
| Solid carbide end mills | One-piece carbide milling cutters | Slotting, profiling, pocketing, high-speed finishing |
| Solid carbide drills | One-piece carbide drill bits | Precision holes in steel, stainless, cast iron and aluminium |
| Carbide reamers | Finishing tools for accurate hole size | Tight-tolerance hole finishing |
| Carbide-tipped (brazed) tools | Carbide tips brazed onto a steel body | General turning, woodworking and masonry tools |
| Grooving and parting tools | Narrow inserts and blades | Grooves, undercuts and cut-off |
| Threading tools | Inserts shaped to cut thread profiles | Internal and external threading |
| Boring bars | Holders carrying carbide inserts | Enlarging and finishing existing holes |
| Carbide burrs | Rotary files made of carbide | Deburring, shaping and weld preparation |
1. Indexable Carbide Inserts
Inserts are the workhorse of CNC machining. When an edge wears you rotate or replace the insert instead of the whole tool. They come in many shapes, sizes and grades, and the right choice depends on the operation and the workpiece material.
Read our detailed guide on carbide inserts for turning vs milling.
2. Solid Carbide Tools
Solid carbide end mills, drills and reamers are made entirely from carbide. They are very rigid and accurate, and suit high-speed machining on stable machines. They are usually sharpened and reused several times by regrinding, depending on the tool.
3. Carbide-Tipped (Brazed) Tools
Here a small carbide tip is brazed onto a steel shank. This gives you a carbide cutting edge at a lower cost than solid carbide, and the tool can be resharpened. It is common in simple turning tools and some woodworking and masonry tooling.
Carbide Tools by Application Group (ISO P, M, K, N, S, H)
Carbide grades are classified by the workpiece material they are designed for. Using the wrong group is one of the most common causes of poor tool life.
| ISO group | Colour | Workpiece material | What to look for |
|---|---|---|---|
| P | Blue | Steel | Balance of wear resistance and toughness |
| M | Yellow | Stainless steel | Tough grades that resist work hardening and notch wear |
| K | Red | Cast iron | Wear-resistant grades for abrasive material |
| N | Green | Aluminium, non-ferrous | Sharp edges, often uncoated or specially coated |
| S | Brown | Titanium, heat-resistant alloys | Heat-resistant, tough substrates |
| H | Grey | Hardened steel | Very hard grades with strong edges |
Coated vs Uncoated Carbide
- Uncoated carbide gives a very sharp edge and is common for aluminium and non-ferrous work.
- CVD-coated carbide has a thicker coating that resists heat and wear, widely used for steel and cast iron turning.
- PVD-coated carbide has a thinner, smoother coating that keeps edges sharper and suits milling, drilling and stainless or heat-resistant alloys.
How to Choose the Right Carbide Tool
- Start with the workpiece material (ISO group).
- Identify the operation: turning, milling, drilling, boring or threading.
- Check machine rigidity and whether the cut is continuous or interrupted.
- Match the insert or tool geometry to roughing or finishing.
- Confirm the holder, cutter or collet compatibility.
Khokhawala Trading LLC supplies carbide inserts, end mills, drills, boring tools and holders in Dubai, UAE. Browse the carbide tooling systems range or contact our team.
Need Carbide Tooling in Dubai, UAE?
Visit the KTRDG shop or contact Khokhawala Trading LLC with your machine, workpiece material and the tool you need.
Types of Carbide Tools, Answered
Indexable inserts, solid carbide tools such as end mills and drills, carbide-tipped brazed tools, and specialised grooving, threading and boring tools.
Solid carbide tools are made entirely of carbide in one piece. Inserts are replaceable carbide edges that clamp into a steel holder or cutter body.
Use grades from the ISO M group, which are designed for stainless steel, with a geometry suited to the operation.
Coatings extend tool life in most steel, cast iron and stainless applications. Uncoated sharp-edge carbide is often preferred for aluminium.
Khokhawala Trading LLC supplies carbide tooling systems and machining tools in Dubai and across the UAE.