Diamond blades come in scores of different forms. Naturally, as any buyer would expect, there are different brands to pick from, but this post isn’t setting out to debate some vendor-specific matter. Looking deeper than brand labels, to the hardened metal cores and their diamond-encrusted rims, we’ll be checking out different blade styles and profiles. Off to a quick start, we’re tackling segmented rims first.
Segmented Rims
As a general rule of thumb, segmented rim edges dominate the diamond blade market. The discs are steel cored, and their rims are encircled by a set of equispaced slots. The cutouts vary in size and number, because their slots keep the blades cool when they’re run in dry-cut mode. Used in coarse cutting applications, segmented rims are perfect for those jobs that process concrete, limestone, and brick.
Continuous Rim Blades
As the label implies, there are no air-cooling cutouts encircling the blade. Because of that continuous rim, expect hotter abrasive operations, which will necessitate the inclusion of a lubricating medium. Slower than rim style blades, continuous edge diamond blades come into their own when they’re used to make fine incisions on ceramic tiling, porcelain, and granite. Again, because this point deserves emphasizing, this disc type is best classed as a wet cutting tool.
Turbo Edged Diamond Blades
The term fits, the serrated edges of the disc core live up to their name. Capable of rotating faster than continuous diamond cutting discs, turbo blades can be employed on wet or dry abrasive operations. The serrated profile cuts much the same way as a segmented rim, so it’ll also zip through most of the same coarse materials. However, because of its specially profiled disc edges, turbo blades create finer cuts, even as they move at higher speeds.
Intelligence-Based Label Reading
A high-performance diamond cutting blade is being sought out by a buyer. There’s a problem. Instead of a limited selection, there are too many options, and the choices are engendering a feeling of bewilderment. Buckling down, the purchaser, checks for high-quality diamonds. Following up on this move, the rim style is picked, the wear rate and disc maximum speed are added, and the best possible material abrading solution is chosen and purchased.
And so it goes, with a sintered bonding matrix making the final choice that much easier to confirm. The three style rim issue is recognized now, and so are the bonding approaches that control wear rate. Switching tack altogether, there’s yet another group of diamond blade types. Multi-bladed gang saws and electroplated band saws occupy this sector of the abrasive cutting market.
