Getting the best Concrete Blade
When shopping for a diamond blade for concrete or asphalt, it is important to understand your application and the material being cut.
There are many types of concrete & asphalt that a contractor will encounter. Manufacturers offer numerous diamond blade variations and configurations to perform optimally cutting certain materials. Choosing the right blade for the job will save you time and money.
Diamond Blade Components
Core
The core is made from a round steel plate onto which diamond segments are fused or welded. The two most common types of fusion are vacuum brazing or sintering. These methods are used on low cost, high volume blades. Laser welding is a more expensive alternative, however, the strength of the bond increases significantly making laser welded diamond blades well suited for aggressive, industrial applications.
Diamond Segments
The segments are composed of diamond bits and metal bond matrix. These segments can be designed to perform optimally while cutting certain materials. The metal bond is composed of various metals to achieve specific wear rates. For example, a soft bond matrix is used on diamond blades designed to cut "hard" material. The soft bond wears away faster, exposing more diamond. Hard bonds are for cutting "soft", abrasive material like asphalt or freshly poured concrete. The hard bond resists abrasion, preventing premature wear.