Critical Factors That Determine The Type Of Diamond Blade You Should Use
Concrete is one of the trickiest materials to cut through. If you would like to achieve a clean, professional cut through your concrete, the most important tool to have at your disposal is a diamond blade. Choosing the right diamond blade is the key to cutting through concrete efficiently and to also prolong the life of your diamond blades.
The Characteristics Of The Concrete
The characteristics of the concrete you will be cutting through include the size and hardness of the aggregate, the compression strength and the type of sand. If the concrete is 3,000 PSI or lower, it is considered a soft material. If the concrete is over 6,000 PSI, it is considered a hard material. For softer concrete, you should use a diamond blade that has a hard bond. For harder concrete, you should use a diamond blade that has a soft bond.
Wet Or Dry Cutting
Diamond blades operate the best when cutting wet. The water helps keep the blade cool and reduces the amount of harmful dust that is created by cutting. Also, the water removes the slurry around the diamond blade as it cuts. However, there are applications under which water cannot be used and methods must be found to remove concrete dust so that it is not inhaled by the diamond blade operators.
How Many Types Of Materials You Will Cut
Sometimes, you will be cutting more than one type of material. The best solution is to purchase multiple blades for different types of materials. However, if you can only purchase one blade, you should select one based on the most common type of concrete you will be cutting.
How Large The Cutting Job Is
Another factor to consider is how much it will cost overall. If you are frequently performing small concrete cutting jobs, the most cost-effective blade will be the blade that is the least expensive. However, if you are performing larger cutting jobs, the more expensive blade will deliver the lowest cost per cut because it will take longer for the blade to need to be replaced. For example, laser-welded segments that have layered diamonds are more expensive than vacuum-brazed segments, but also produce better-quality cuts and last longer.
The Horsepower Of The Cutter
The type of blade you will need is also based on the horsepower of the cutting equipment you will be using. For example, a blade that will be used with a power cutter must be rated at a higher rpm.
For more information, contact a construction equipment company, such as Web Granite Supplies.