Stainless steel drills blog
Which drill do you use to drill in stainless steel?
What is stainless steel?
Stainless steel is sometimes referred to as inox in everyday language. This is not entirely correct because inox can certainly rust. The term Stainless steel is better, because stainless steel contains an oxide layer that protects the steel against rust. This oxide layer is created when chromium comes into contact with oxygen. When this oxide layer is affected, rust can indeed occur. Stainless steel is only stainless when the oxide layer is completely sealed and not damaged.
Which key features should a stainless steel drill bit have?
Stainless steel is a very hard material and therefore difficult to cut. That’s why the tool steel of the twist drill must be made of HSS-Co 5% (5% cobalt content). The cutting angle of an HSS-CO 5% drill must be 135 ° degrees. The angle on these drill bits is much larger than on drill bits meant for cutting softer materials, on which the cutting angle is 118 ° degrees. With a large cutting angle, more of the cutting edge engages with the material during drilling.
How do you use an HSS-Co 5% drill bit?
Use cutting oil when drilling in stainless steel. The cutting oil ensures that the surface quality is optimal, the temperature is lowered and the chips are wiped out. This extends the lifespan of the drill. Adjust the speed. View the table for the correct speed. If possible, use a column drilling machine, as this allows you to better control centering, speed and input.
If you need more advice about buying stainless steel drills after reading this blog, please contact us through +31(0)318 623444 or labor@laborholland.nl
