A large number of concrete-cutting jobs are accomplished using circular saws equipped with diamond-tipped blades. Such blades offer such unparalleled strength and durability that they have become more common for other applications as well. Yet many people remain mystified by the idea of a diamond-tipped saw blade.
If you would like to understand more about how diamond-tipped blades work, read on. This article will discuss what sets diamond blades apart from other types of saw blades. Learn how these incredible blades are manufactured and why experienced contractors make a point to always install them on their concrete saws.
A diamond-tipped saw blade - often referred to simply as a diamond blade - is distinguished by the fact that it has tiny diamonds embedded in the metal along its cutting edge. At first glance, this statement seems hard to believe, given the incredible cost that even a single diamond can have.
The diamonds in a diamond blade aren't the same as the diamonds at a jewelry store, however. Manufacturers produce these diamonds at a relatively low cost, using a special method involving high pressure and temperature. These synthetic diamonds have one thing in common with expensive natural diamonds: their incredible hardness.
This hardness puts the hardness of concrete to shame. When embedded in the edge of a saw blade, diamonds grind concrete to dust. This spares the metal from becoming worn down as quickly. Eventually, after thousands of rotations, the diamonds will begin to crack and break up. The metal will then wear down, exposing new diamonds.
The diamonds in a diamond blade must be attached to the metal as strongly as possible. There are three main ways this can be accomplished. The first, known as vacuum brazing, involves welding the diamonds to the outer edge of the blade inside of a special furnace. Here the diamonds exist exclusively on the outside of the blade.
This means that, as a vacuum brazed blade wears down, no new diamonds will be exposed. This limits the durability and lifespan of such blades. Yet they remain a popular choice for less intensive applications, thanks to their relatively low price point.
The second attachment method goes by the name of sintering. Sintering involves the joining together of separate elements through the application of both pressure and heat. The sintering process literally presses the diamonds into the metal, resulting in a stronger bond than with vacuum brazed blades.
Yet the strongest results can be obtained through the third attachment method, known as laser welding. The heat and precision of the laser welding process ensure that the diamond particles bond fully with the metal's molecular structure. This allows a diamond blade to last up to
35 percent longer than a sintered blade.
When choosing a diamond blade for cutting concrete, however, the attachment method should not be the only consideration. The hardness of the concrete will have a huge effect on how quickly the blade wears down. When cutting concrete that has not cured fully, a blade with a stronger bond should be chosen.
The reason for this has to do with the rate of wear. The relatively soft concrete will wear the diamonds out more slowly. A harder bond ensures that the diamonds will remain in place until they have been used up fully. A blade with a softer bond, on the other hand, will wear down and lose its diamonds before their cutting power has been maximized.
Cutting represents an important phase of virtually all concrete projects - one that can best be accomplished using diamond blades. For more information about what it means to cut concrete the right way, feel free to
contact the pros at Capitol City Concrete Cutters.
