Diamond blade
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A diamond blade is a circular saw blade used for cutting hard or abrasive materials. They are commonly used in the construction industry for: building, remodeling and repairs.
Contents |
[edit] Diamond saw blade
Diamond blades can be used for cutting concrete, brick, block, stone and other materials with similar properties. A diamond blade is composed of a steel core (unlike diamond wire) and powder metal which is combined with diamond crystals and then heated and pressed into a molding which form the diamond segments, also known as the "cutting teeth" of the blade. The diamond segments are then welded to the steel core.
The steel core can vary in design. Some of them have spaces (known as gullets) between each segment to provide cooling and slurry removal, while others have a single continuous rim for smoother chip-free cutting. The type of core that has to be used depends of the type of materials that will be cut.
[edit] How do Diamond Blades cut?
A Diamond Blade doesn't actually cut, instead it grinds. They have rectangular teeth (segments) which contain diamond crystals on the tip of each segment for grinding through very hard materials.
The bond is a term used for the softness or hardness of the powder metal being used to form the segments and hold the diamonds in place. The bond controls the rate at which the Diamond Segments wear down and allow new diamonds to become exposed at the surface to continue grinding with a "sharp" edge. The most important step is matching a blade with the right bond to your specific cutting material.
[edit] Selecting the correct diamond blade
First thing you should know is how hard, or abrasive, the material you wish to cut is. Each Diamond Blade is unique in its combination of: bond, diamond concentration, diamond sizes/shapes, width, segment design, core design, etc.
To get the most efficient cutting you should always try to match the type of blade to the specific material it's designed to cut.
[edit] Cutting with or without water
Diamond tools and blades require wet cutting. The water will prevent the blade from overheating, greatly reduce the amount of harmful dust created by cutting, and will remove the slurry from the cut. Diamond cannot withstand the forces involved at the elevated temperatures of dry cutting ceramic and abrasive materials, and will be subject to rapid tool wear and possible failure.
When water cannot be used (electrical saws for example), measures should be taken so the operator does not inhale dust created by the process, which poses a very serious health risk. When doing dry cutting, the blade should be allowed to cool off periodically. Cooling can be increased by allowing the blade to spin freely out of the cut. This allows cool air to pass between the segments. Dry diamond cutting is dangerous for persons unfamiliar with the risks and process.
- Always take safety precautions when using any type of power tools: Wear safety equipment. High levels of dust or improper usage of diamond blades can be harmful.
[edit] External links
- Home Improvement Web Info about cutting concrete.
- Troubleshooting Diamond Saw Blades Troubleshooting Diamond Saw Blades
- Diamond Blade Cutting Recommendations
- Saw Blade Wear Information about the wear of saw blades.
- diamond tools Cutting and grinding, hand tools.
- Diamond Tools Supplier of the diamond blades.
