What Type of Saw Blade Will Cut through Steel and Concrete?

Saw blades come in an endless array of sizes and applications.  From small jig saw blades to giant industrial blades, the choices are many, and not every blade can cut every material.  When choosing a blade, it’s important to select the right blade for the job.

If you’re cutting through extremely hard surfaces, like steel or concrete, you will likely need a diamond blade. When it comes to diamond blades, a good understanding of how they are made and how they function will allow you to select the right one for the job.

Diamond blades are made up of four components, diamond crystals, the metal bond, the diamond edge, and the core.

The diamond crystals are formed from synthetic diamonds and can vary in size, type, or shape, depending on the specific application.

The metal bond is what holds the crystals in place and is made up of various metals which determine the rate at which the crystals are exposed.

The diamond edge is combined with the crystals and attached to the core. The edge is wider than the core to reduce drag on the core itself. The edges are attached to the core through a variety of welding processes.

The core is usually a flat round disc made from high alloy heat-treated steel. The core is tensioned to allow the blade to turn true to course on the arbor hole, which is centered in the core and to reduce stress caused by the high centripetal force caused by cutting very hard materials.

Diamond blades work by grinding, not cutting. The exposed diamond crystals do the grinding, and the bond holds the diamonds in place. As the blade rotates, the diamonds grind the material being cut into a fine powder. As the grinding continues, the diamonds begin to crack and break down, and the pieces are swept away with the material being cut.

As the diamond particles are dulled and broken, the bond releases to expose more of the synthetic diamond in newer and sharper points to continue the grinding. Once all of the diamond material is gone, the blade will no longer cut and must be replaced with a new one.

The biggest advantage of diamond blades is their longevity compared to other blades. Generally speaking, a diamond blade will last up to 100 times as long as other abrasive type blades, and cutting extremely hard materials is best suited to a diamond blade.

In operation for over 20 years, Ashton Sawing & Drilling is one of the largest and most trusted commercial concrete service companies in the Gulf States.  With multiple offices, large fleets of the newest equipment available, and crews on call, you can count on us for quick turnaround and a job done right with the highest safety standards. Check out our website, or contact us for your concrete service needs.