A diamond blade is a circular steel disc with a diamond bearing edge. The blade edge comes in three main types: segmented, with individual separate segments for long life; turbo, with continuous serrated edge for aggressive, fast cutting; and continuous rim, for smooth chip-free cutting.
The core of the blade is made of tensioned steel and sometimes has slots. These slots (also called gullets) cool the blade by allowing water or air to flow between the segments. They also allow the core to flex and dissipate stress while cutting, so the blade is less likely to crack. All blades are designed to run at specific rpms. It’s essential for safe operation and optimum performance that blades run at the correct rpm.
The diamond edge is made of a combination of manufactured diamonds and metal powders. Different mixtures of diamonds and metal powders are used, depending on the aggregate being cut. During the manufacturing process, the metal powder and diamonds are bonded together at high temperatures to form a solid metal alloy. This metal alloy is then bonded to the blade. A blade’s diamond edge is always slightly wider than the core so it doesn’t drag or bind in the material being cut.
A diamond blade cuts by grinding through the material. As the diamond edge wears, new and sharper diamonds are exposed.