Durium tipped drill bits

[Tony]

Does anyone know what Durium is ?? is it a brand name for, an alloy coating? i have found some old masonry bits durium tipped are these dangerous DU? can't find any info on the net about these. any info would be good Thanks

[fred]

From an article I found on the web:

"Durium is the trademark for a highly durable silicon bronze alloy used to make phonograph needles, drill bits, and either penpoints, or whole nibs. Some companies even re-used the old term "diamond-tipped" to describe their Durium products."

[Tony]

ok thanks for that, i guess they are silicon bronze tipped, they need to be strong but maybe not armour piercing although i,m surprised it so hard to find info on the specification of the tips even though they are still sold. because these are Very old you never can be sure what they might be made of!!

Rgds T