What material is commonly used for cutting tools due to its hardness and wear resistance?

Carbide is widely used for cutting tools primarily because of its remarkable hardness and excellent wear resistance. This material can withstand high temperatures and abrasive wear, making it an ideal choice for machining processes that involve cutting through tough metals and other materials. Carbide tools, particularly cemented carbides, maintain their cutting edge for a long time, which increases tool life and enhances machining efficiency.

In contrast, while steel is commonly used for cutting tools, it generally does not offer the same level of hardness and wear resistance as carbide. Copper and aluminum are soft materials that are unsuitable for cutting tool applications due to their tendency to wear down quickly under mechanical stress. Thus, carbide stands out as the preferred material for high-performance cutting tools in various industrial applications.