How to visually assess the quality of diamond saw blades

The quality of diamond saw blades can only be truly assessed through practical usage, as only then can one determine their effectiveness. Selecting the appropriate blade is crucial for achieving optimal cutting performance. As products made of extremely hard materials, diamond saw blades are primarily used for cutting hard and brittle materials such as concrete, refractory materials, stone, and ceramics. Some blades may not cut sharply, while others may have a short lifespan. These are common issues faced by users who lack a comprehensive understanding of diamond saw blades. Due to these uncertainties, and considering that most customers lack professional knowledge and testing equipment, this article aims to teach readers how to visually assess the quality of diamond saw blades.

First: The concentration of diamond grains on the head of the diamond saw blade: Diamond is one of the major production costs of diamond saw blades. If the concentration is too low, the blade will wear out quickly during cutting, resulting in reduced cutting power. Conversely, if the diamond concentration in the blade head is reasonable, the cutting process will be smoother. However, one should not excessively rely on diamond content, as excessively high diamond content can also lead to adverse cutting factors, such as a decrease in sharpness. Especially in recent years, with the gradual formation of blade recycling projects, recycled blades with washed diamonds have become prevalent. However, the structure of such diamonds is highly unstable. To mitigate the risk of cutting failure, many blade manufacturers add a large amount of diamond to the blade. Therefore, sometimes the blade concentration is too high. If the price is low, such blades are mostly made using secondary or multiple diamond applications, resulting in compromised stability and cutting ability.

Second: Observe whether the exposed diamond grains on the blade are evenly distributed. Uniformity is a crucial parameter. The cutting part of the diamond saw blade mainly consists of the blade head. If the blade head is made improperly and the distribution of diamonds is uneven, various problems may arise, such as uneven wear of the blade head, one side of the blade head being higher than the other, or a difference in height between the middle and sides. In such cases, the cutting ability of the blade is significantly reduced, and only a portion of the blade heads are working. Under high-intensity work, these blade heads will gradually wear out or even detach, greatly reducing cutting lifespan and efficiency.

Third: Observe whether the welding seams are intact and neat. If the welding seams are discontinuous and the edge of the blade head is not aligned vertically with the substrate groove, it will affect chip removal and heat dissipation, possibly leading to blade detachment. Well-welded blade heads allow for the observation of the horizontal alignment of each saw tooth. Place the blade flat on a horizontal surface, keeping the line of sight level with the surface. This observation method clearly reveals whether the blade welding is even.

Fourth, hold the blade in your hand and observe whether the diamond blade head aligns with the substrate on the horizontal plane. You can also lightly move the two sides of the blade head with a wrench. If the blade head is uneven or irregular, it may easily loosen during use, potentially causing edge collapse or even blade detachment.

Fifth, compare the thickness of the blade head to the thickness of the substrate. Taking a 350mm granite blade as an example, the blade head is generally about 1mm thicker than the substrate. A 350mm marble blade head is about 0.2mm to 0.5mm thicker than the substrate. This design prevents damage to the substrate and increases blade lifespan. However, blade thickness is not the only factor determining blade quality. It can be said that under the same price, thicker blades have better cutting performance and stability, while thinner blades require higher blade sharpness and have narrower cutting gaps, saving stone material.

Lastly, blade sharpness and wear resistance have a trade-off relationship. Our recommendation is that when the blade lifespan reaches the expected target and the sharpness is moderate, do not demand further lifespan extension. Because external factors, such as the cutting machine, operator's technique, and the hardness of the stone, are subject to change, and once the external environment changes, a suitable blade may become unsuitable. Therefore, a factory often needs to use various types of blades, such as sharp-type, lifespan-type, comprehensive-type, and cost-effective blades, to meet different cutting needs. Therefore, in the blade selection process, one can choose a suitable blade product based on these indicators.

Finally, there are many other ways to judge the blade, such as some people judging based on the appearance defects of the blade product, some judging based on the shape of the saw teeth, and some judging based on the material of the blade body. All of these are partially applicable methods but not entirely accurate.