What is "Carbide"

Carbide refers to a class of hard and wear-resistant materials composed of carbide-forming elements, such as tungsten and a metallic binder. The result is a material that is extremely hard and durable, making it well-suited for use in high-wear applications, such as cutting tools for CNC machining.

The high hardness and wear resistance of carbide cutting tools allows them to maintain their cutting ability for longer periods of time compared to other types of cutting tools (like high-speed steel).

Carbide tools can handle higher cutting speeds and feed rates than other types of cutting tools. Unless you have a special reason, you should always prefer carbide tools.