Concrete Cutting – Overview of Diamond Saw Blades

There are a bunch of different technologies in the field of concrete cutting. Diamond saw blades are usually the best option when it comes to making clean and professional cuts in concrete. With so many different options in terms of type and price; do you know how to choose the perfect one and what are the benefits of diamond concrete cutting?

It is important to understand how diamond blades work in terms to choose a blade with the right cutting quality. These are made using synthetic crystals that cut absolutely anything. As the blade rotates at high speed – exposed crystals cut through material. With continued use, the surface diamonds become wasted and the matrix starts to expose new diamond crystals.

To ensure its maximum life, you should match the blade as closely as possible to the material being cut. A diamond blade used to cut soft and abrasive materials (such as green concrete) should have a hard metal bond to ensure that exposed diamonds are fully utilized. Contrary, a blade for cutting hard concrete should have a soft bond which allows exposure of new diamonds.

Cutting concrete at the right time is important. If you are placing a new concrete, you have two options: cutting concrete while it is still green or the next day when it is hardened. This will affect the type you need.

The decision of cutting wet or dry depends on your job requirements and preferences. Dry cutting eliminates the need for hoses and water tanks while using a wet blade reduces dust. The main difference between wet and dry blades is the welds. It is important to emphasize that dry cutting blades can be used in wet conditions, but you should never use wet cutting blades without water. Always cool the blade with water to avoid its deformity.

Match the blade with the speed range of the saw. Operating the blade at a lower speed than recommended can reduce its cutting performance. Operating the blade at a higher speed can also damage the blade. You should always maintain the compatibility of the blades.

Manufacturers are offering diamond blades with diverse quality and cost levels. You can choose between blades from basic economy level to professional. The key difference is the diamond content – the greatest raw material cost in manufacturing these blades. In this moment you should decide what is more important to you: the initial cost of the blade or the total sawing cost. Buying an economy blade is suitable if you are performing small cutting jobs or you don`t use the blade very often. For frequent use or large jobs, you should buy better-quality blade. It will cost you less in the long run.