What Are Diamond Blades?

Diamond blades are a commonly used cutting tool, and they are high-quality blades that use the hardness of diamonds to improve the cutting ability of the blade. Diamond blades have a steel core surrounded by a powdered metal coating that contains the diamond portion.

Diamond blades can be used to cut hardwood with ease, and other types of construction materials can also be cut with a diamond blade. These blades are commonly used to cut glass, stone, concrete and brick, especially when the cut must be precise. Even diamonds can be cut with a diamond blade.

Diamond blades come in more than one design, and both circular and band saws can be equipped with diamond blades. When used with a band saw, the diamond blade can make fine cuts that help shape materials to design specifications. Diamond blades for circular saws work well when a direct cut through a material is required.

While steel is at the heart of a diamond blade, its actual design may vary. Many diamond blades have a gullet design where there are spaces, or gullets, along the surface of the steel. This design helps to keep the heat transfer to the diamond blade to a minimum and also helps to facilitate the removal of mud during cutting.

Diamond discs are usually welded to the steel core, but electroplating can be used instead. The method of adhering the diamond blade to the core has a lot to do with the number of blade layers added to the diamond blade. For lighter loads, a single layer of attachment plating may suffice, while higher-strength applications often require multiple layers to be welded.

When using diamond blades, water is often used to prevent overheating, reduce the amount of dust generated, and help remove mud from the cutting area. Water also prolongs the life of the blade. Dust from the use of diamond blades poses a serious risk of lung disease, so operators are often required to wear a respirator when cutting with diamond blades without water.