Solid carbide provides better rigidity than high speed steel. It is extremely heat resistant and used for high speed applications on cast iron, nonferrous materials, plastics and other tough-to-machine materials.

Aluminum titanium nitride (AlTiN) is one of the most abrasive-resistant and hardest of the coatings. It is commonly used for machining aircraft and aerospace material, nickel alloys, stainless steel, titanium, cast iron and carbon steel.