Masonry Magazine February 2010 Page. 24
SAW BLADES
The powdered metals used in the bond matrix are designed to wear away only as fast as diamonds are being used up, so it is important to use the correct diamond wheel for a given application. Hard materials such as reinforced concrete, brick and stone require a diamond wheel with a softer bond matrix that wears away faster and exposes more diamonds in order to maintain the wheel's performance. Cutting a hard material with a wheel that has a hard bond could cause the wheel to glaze, or become polished, and not cut well. Soft materials, such as asphalt, sandstone or green concrete, require wheels with a harder bond that exposes the diamonds at a slower rate. Cutting soft material with a wheel that has a soft bond would cause the wheel to wear down quickly and waste the wheel.
Different types of diamond wheels
ASIDE FROM DIFFERENT BOND configurations and diamond concentrations, there are also different types of diamond wheels. The most common wheel on larger handheld and walk-behind units are segmented wheels where each diamond segment is separated by a gullet. The gullet is designed to carry away material during cutting, especially if water is used for dust suppression. The continuous-rim diamond wheel has a continuous diamond segment along the entire radius of the wheel. These wheels run hotter than segmented wheels, are less likely to chip and provide a smooth cut in materials like ceramic tile, so are often used on wet tile saws. Turbo wheels look very similar to continuous rim wheels but have small indentions in the diamond segment. These wheels are used on handheld cut-off machines and also provide a smooth cut. These wheels are used frequently on landscaping materials where the cut edge may show.
Diamond wheels seem to be very simple on the surface, but there are many things to consider when selecting a quality diamond wheel. Knowing what makes up a diamond wheel, how it works and what types of wheels are available can help construction professionals make better buying decisions. Your local servicing dealer is also a good resource to help ensure you get the best wheel for your needs. While the construction market is very cost sensitive, it is important to remember that inexpensive diamond wheels may cost more money in the long term and increase the risk of injury to the operator and bystanders. Such risks include injury from thrown tips and reactive forces. The paramount concern for any tool is that it is safe for the operator, so always match the type of diamond wheel to the job being done and always follow direction in the manufacturer's instruction manual. IMAS
Adam Hanks is industrial product manager for STIHL Inc. in Virginia Beach, Va
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