Final answer:
Masonry bits and nail cutter saw blades have a carbide tip due to its hardness and durability, which is necessary for penetrating tough materials like concrete and brick.
Step-by-step explanation:
Masonry bits and nail cutter saw blades have a carbide tip. This material is selected due to its remarkable hardness and wear resistance, which makes it highly effective for penetrating tough materials like stone, concrete, and brick that would quickly blunt less sturdy materials. Carbide tips maintain their sharpness for a longer period compared to other materials even under rigorous conditions.
The choice of carbide as a tip for these tools is closely related to the material properties of high carbon steel. High carbon steel is incredibly strong and is less likely to bend under stress but can fracture if not used correctly. For this reason, it is often used in conjunction with carbide tips to create a durable, effective cutting edge.
Special steels, which are iron alloyed with other metals, offer various enhancements in hardness, durability, and wear resistance. These variations enable the creation of tools that can meet the specific demands of cutting and drilling into very hard materials.