A Complete Guide to Diamond Blades

Achieving high-quality cutting and optimal performance begins with selecting the proper saw blade. With so many options available, understanding the purpose of each is key. This guide provides a complete overview of diamond blades, from their basic composition to the distinct types and their ideal applications.

What are Diamond Blades?

The diamond blade is a specialized cutting tool engineered for working with hard, abrasive materials. It is not made of pure diamond; rather, it consists of a high-alloy steel core with a cutting edge composed of diamond segments. These segments or serrated edges on diamond blades are created by bonding industrial-grade diamonds to a metal powder matrix. As the blade wears away at the softer metal matrix, new, sharp diamond crystals resume the cutting jobs.

Concrete, asphalt, brick, and stone are just some of the materials that diamond blades excel at cutting, drilling, and grinding.

Different Types Of Diamond Blades

1. Segmented Blades

Best for: Hard, abrasive materials like concrete, brick, block, and asphalt.

Segmented or dry cutting blades typically feature a medium to hard bond. While these blades can operate at high speeds and yield a relatively smooth cut, there is still a risk of chipping. They have a longer life compared to other cutting blades. Segmented blades are ideal for cutting various construction materials, including concrete, asphalt, brick, block, marble, and granite slabs.

• Common Uses: Masonry saws, concrete saws, and circular saws, particularly for diameters 12" and larger.

2. Turbo Rim Blades

Best for: Applications that require a balance of speed and a relatively clean finish. They are effective on materials like concrete, brick, limestone, and paving stones.

Turbo Rim diamond blades are designed for faster cutting in both dry and wet environments. To prevent overheating, an integrated diamond matrix is bonded to the small segments of the rim. Air flows through the small turbo segments, helping to cool the blade. Additionally, the blade features numerous small holes, a technology commonly used by manufacturers to enhance cooling capacity. The design of the turbo segments allows for quicker cutting by pushing the material outward. It can effectively cut limestone, brick, and concrete.

• Common Uses: Circular saws, angle grinders, and chop saws.

3. Continuous Rim Blades

Best for: Dense, brittle materials that require a very clean, chip-free cut, such as tile, porcelain, ceramic, granite, and glass.

For cutting tile, ceramic, granite, stone, glass, and other easily breakable solid materials, continuous rim diamond blades are perfect due to their smooth bonding. These blades have a solid, continuous rim or edge instead of individual segments. To achieve the cleanest and chip-free cut, most of these blades are specifically designed for wet cutting conditions.

These rim blades often come in between 4" and 14" in diameter. Smaller diameter blades, such as 4" to 5", are suitable for handheld angle grinders, while larger diameter blades (over 5") are utilized with tile saws and circular saws. Of all diamond saw blade designs, continuous rims cut at the slowest speeds, but in turn, they produce the most precise results.

• Common Uses: Tile saws, wet saws, and hand-held grinders, typically in smaller diameters ranging from 4" to 14".

Choosing the Right Diamond Blade

To choose the right diamond blade, consider these factors:

1. Material Hardness

Harder materials (like porcelain and granite) require a softer bond to ensure the segments wear away and expose new diamonds. Softer, more abrasive materials (like asphalt and concrete) need a harder bond to prevent the blade from wearing out too quickly.

2. Cutting Condition

• Wet Cutting: Here, to reduce dust and cool the blades, you need to use water. This is essential for continuous rim blades and provides a cleaner cut with any blade type.
• Dry Cutting: Use with segmented blades for quick, convenient cuts where a perfect finish is not a priority.

3. Application

The type of tool you are using (e.g., angle grinder, tile saw) and the specific job (e.g., cutting precise tiles, demolishing concrete) will determine the blade type, diameter, and bond you need.

By understanding the differences between these three types of diamond blades, you can make an informed decision that will save you time, money, and effort while achieving superior results.

Related Article: Best Diamond Blades for Grinder