Diamond blades are cutting tools used in various construction and manufacturing industries. They are made of a circular steel disk with diamond segments attached to the edge. The diamond segments are made of industrial-grade diamonds and metal powders that are fused together under high pressure and temperature.
Diamond blades are used for cutting hard and abrasive materials such as concrete, asphalt, stone, and ceramics. They are also used for cutting glass, metals, plastics, and composites. The type of diamond blade used depends on the material being cut, the equipment being used, and the desired finish. A diamond blade cuts a line like a circular saw and creates dust. This is preferable to a chipping hammer or other device.
There are different types of diamond blades available in the market, including segmented, continuous rim, turbo, and electroplated diamond blades.
Segmented diamond blades are the most common type of diamond blade and are used for cutting concrete, asphalt, and other hard materials. The space between the segments allows debris to be removed, but also collides with the material that is being cut and causes chipping. If you need a faster cut but the quality of the edge is not important this is the blade for you.
Turbo diamond blades are an all-purpose blade, that can do everything. A turbo blade has a little to no space between the segments and leaves a smoother cut when finished. Like an SUV, the Turbo blade does it all. But not as well as something designed for the specific task. The turbo blade cuts all types of material but is recommended for edges that won’t be seen in your final project.
Continuous rim diamond blades are used for cutting tiles, ceramics, and other brittle materials. As the name explains, there are no segments in this blade. This type of blade makes very smooth cuts with minimal chipping. Offering the highest quality finish of any of the other blades. Consider this a fine-tooth blade for your finish work.
Electroplated diamond blades are used for cutting soft materials such as plastics and composites. When choosing the correct blade for this type of material, you should follow the manufacturers recommendations. Soft materials can create a burr or build up on the cut edge which will need to be removed. Having the correct blade can help eliminate that.
The quality of a diamond blade depends on many factors:
The segments can be brazed, or laser welded. If the blade is used on material that is too hard, the machine is too strong, or it is overused the segments can come off. Laser welding helps to prevent this from happening.
The quantity of diamonds in the blades affects the speed of the cut, and the longevity of the blade. If a blade has too many diamonds, it will cut slowly like a finish saw blade. If it has too few diamonds, it will wear out faster. Having the optimal balance between the number of diamonds and the metal bond materials will ensure your satisfaction. The makeup of the bonding materials is important because as it wears, it exposes the diamonds which do the cutting. If you have a hard material you need a soft bonding material, because it will expose diamonds faster.
The blades core, its ventilation holes, and structure will also affect performance. Some blades are stamped from a solid piece of steel. Others have layers which are fused and allow for a much quieter cut. The ventilation holes allow the blade to avoid overheating, which can lead to throwing diamond segments.
Not all diamond blades are created equal. Knowing more about your blades will inevitably aid you in your work. Most manufacturers calculate all of these factors and offer a wide variety of blades. Contractors Market has a wide variety of blades to choose from. If you are getting into contracting, or you have been using impact tools to cut rock etc. you should look into using diamond blades. Determine the finish that you want, and that will guide you.