In the Chinese market, a variety of cutting tools are commonly available, including high-speed steel (HSS) tools, carbide tools, cermet tools, and PCD/PCBN super-hard tools. HSS tools, aside from complex forming tools such as end mills, gear hobs, broaches, and taps, are predominantly low-end products with limited volume and value. As China's manufacturing sector continues to evolve, advanced cutting technologies and the widespread adoption of cemented carbide tools have led to a decline in the market share of HSS tools, now standing below 60%. Cermet tools remain competitive in precision turning applications for steel and cast iron, holding around 2% of the market. Ceramic tools are gaining traction in high-speed milling, especially for difficult-to-machine materials in aerospace, accounting for roughly 1% of the market. Meanwhile, PCD/PCBN tools, mainly used for non-ferrous and ferrous metals, hold about 2% of the market.
Drill bits represent another critical segment of the tool industry. The drilling process is inherently challenging due to poor cooling and chip evacuation conditions, which makes this area technically demanding and highly valuable. High-end hard drill bits are primarily used in industries such as automotive, aerospace, engineering machinery, high-speed rail, and power equipment, where precision and performance are essential. However, only a small number of Chinese tool companies can compete with global leaders in these high-end fields. For example, in the automobile engine manufacturing sector, domestic brands like Suzhou Arnold, Zhuzhou Diamond, and Shanghai Tool Factory are among the few that can be found. Suzhou Arnold has made significant progress, not only producing non-standard drill bits but also entering the standard hard drill bit market since 2011. In other precision manufacturing areas, Zhuzhou Diamond and Suzhou Arnold’s drills are competing with international first-tier brands.
According to rough estimates, the demand for high-end hard drill bits in China reached approximately 900 million yuan in 2010, with a localization rate of just 15%. Most high-end hard drill bits in the market come from developed countries such as Europe, the US, and Japan, including brands like Sandvik, Kennametal, Cobalt, Titek, Mapa, Mitsubishi, Sumitomo, and Oushu. Many of these companies maintain large inventories in Singapore or mainland China, and some non-standard drills are even produced locally. Korean and Taiwanese drill products, however, are less competitive and rarely seen in the market.
The main gap between Chinese tool manufacturers and top international brands lies in design concepts, manufacturing details, material selection, and coating technologies. Key areas where domestic and foreign drill performance differs include steel machining drills, deep-hole twist drills, and drills for high-temperature alloys and hardened steels. Only a few Chinese companies have mastered the technology for these specialized tools.
Hard end mills also show a similar trend, with general-purpose models being relatively easy to produce and having a smaller quality gap compared to foreign counterparts. Most Chinese carbide tool manufacturers, including state-owned factories, private companies, and Taiwanese firms, focus on producing hard-end milling cutters. These tools dominate the lower and mid-range markets at competitive prices, leading to intense competition.
However, in high-end applications such as difficult-to-machine materials, high-speed milling, and aerospace composites, there is still a noticeable gap between Chinese and foreign high-end hard end mills. Products like high-hardness material cutters, high-speed cutters, titanium alloy cutters, graphite cutters, and aerospace composite cutters are dominated by international brands such as Sandvik, Kennametal, Yanjie, Hitachi, Frasa, Prototyp, SGS, Jabro, OSG, Hanita, LMT, and others.
According to incomplete data, the high-end hard-end mill market in China was valued at around 1.5 billion yuan in 2010, with a localization rate of nearly 30%. Challenges remain in mechanical and structural properties, such as hardness, strength, and wear resistance, as well as thermal and chemical properties like heat resistance and insulation. Biological and electronic/optical properties, such as adaptability and reflectivity, are also key areas for improvement.
In recent years, (Ti, Al) coated cemented carbide tools have become dominant in the high-performance tool market. Special applications have driven the development of custom or precision coatings. According to Luo Baihui, secretary-general of the International Model Association, it is important to acknowledge the technological gap between Chinese and foreign tool companies, including basic research, innovation, marketing, and service capabilities. User needs should drive innovation, and leading enterprises must demonstrate technological leadership. However, Shen Zhuangxing noted that several key domestic companies and emerging private enterprises have made significant progress in developing modern, efficient tools. Companies like Zhuzhou Diamond, Xiamen Golden Heron, and Arno Tools have focused on technological advancement and customer service, achieving notable success in their respective fields.
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