Circular saw blade is a general term for circular knives used to cut various materials. Many people have a limited understanding of circular saw blades. No matter what material it cuts, the tool is still called a circular saw blade. But there are differences according to different cutting materials, purpose, and performance requirements of circular saw blades.
This article introduces circular saw blades from the following aspects
1: Types of circular saw blades
1.1 Diamond saw blade
1.2 High-speed steel saw blade
1.3 Inserted alloy saw blade
1.4 Solid carbide saw blade
1.5 Cold saw is also called cermet saw blade
2: How to choose a circular saw blade
2.1 Choose sawblades material according to workpiece material
2.2 Choose sawblades from Cutting shape
2.3 Saw blade thickness and tooth type, choice of tooth number
2.4 Cutting requirements, cutting methods
2.5 Selection of saw blade diameter
2.6 Selection of saw blade thickness
3: Saw blade installation and use guide
3.1 Guideline for saw blade installation
3.2 Saw blade operational manual
1: Types of circular saw blades
Circular saw blades are classified according to their materials, roughly including diamond saw blades (including coated diamond), Carbide tipped saw blade (TCT circular saw blade) , and solid carbide saw blades. Cermet tipped saw blade (Cold saw blade), high-speed steel saw blades (HSS saw blades).
| Type of saw blade（circular） | Structure | Main application |
| Diamond saw blade（PCD saw blade） | Steel or High-speed steel+PCD tips | It can widely cut in non-ferrous metal materials that are difficult to process, a large number of non-metallic materials with high hardness, such as glass fiber reinforced plastics, silicone-filled materials, hard carbon fiber/epoxy composite materials, concrete, refractory materials, stone, ceramics, etc. Processing of hard and brittle materials. |
| Solid carbide saw blade | Solid carbide | It can saw and cut various metal or non-metallic materials.Various metal or non-metallic workpieces milling, grooving, etc.It can also cut plastics, rubber, PVC, paper, cloth, And other fabric processing. |
| Carbide tipped saw blade (TCT circular saw blade) | Steel +carbide tips | Applied in wood materials such as solid wood, man-made panels, and aluminum materials such as cut aluminum alloys, aluminum profiles,radiators, and other materials such as plastic, plastic steel, glass, etc. |
| Cermet tipped saw blade | Steel+ cermet tips | Used for sawing all kinds of rolled steel, cold-formed steel, high-frequency welded pipe, 45# steel bar, stainless steel bar, black metal solid bar |
| HSS saw blade | High-Speed steel | It can process and cut arrow and deep grooves in steel, iron, copper, aluminum, and other metal materials below medium hardness.It can also do milling of non-metallic materials and hard-to-cut materials (high-strength steel such as heat-resistant steel, stainless steel) |
Now we will introduce the circular saw blades in detail.
1.1 Diamond saw blade:
Most people know that diamond is the hardest natural substance in the world. It is often used as a cutting tool in the industry. Among them, a diamond saw blade is a cutting tool that contains diamonds and is widely used for cutting hard and brittle materials (such as food, concrete, ceramics, glass, gemstones, etc.). The first thing I will introduce to you is the classification of diamond saw blades. Because the application field of diamond saw blades is actually closely related to its manufacturing process and sawtooth shape.
According to different production methods, the diamond saw blades, also called PCD saw blades, are in 3 types: sintered, welded, and electroplated.
There are two types: hot pressing sintering and cold pressing sintering style. From the appearance, diamond saw blades includes continuous edge saw blades, blade-type saw blades, and turbine-type saw blades. In the processing of glass and ceramic materials, we usually use continuous edge saw blades. It is made by sintering to trim or cut. To cut construction materials such as stone, welding saw blades are generally applicable. Yet, the shape of the saw blade required will also be different due to the processing technology. For example, serrated saw blades are generally used for cutting boards.
In various countries, the demand for diamond saw blades is very strong. It is still maintaining a good momentum of development. In engineering construction, the use of electroplated diamond saw blades is very common. Due to the rapid development of the industry, this type of saw blade has a relatively high market share. Besides, people's requirements for environmental protection are increased. The production and use of electroplated diamond saw blades have been increasingly restricted.
For gemstones, the saw blade needs to have a thinner thickness and higher accuracy. It can avoid damage to these precious materials as much as possible. Among them, sintered saw blades can cut cheaper gems due to their thicker thickness. For precious stones, you should choose an electroplated saw blade or a wire saw. That is not within the scope of diamond saw blades. Omit the appearance of the saw blade, continuous edge saw blades are mostly chosen.
The structure of this saw blade is a matrix and a cutter head. The material of the cutter head is a special diamond. It has a low friction coefficient of diamond and a low affinity with non-ferrous metals. It can effectively prevent the metal and the tool from bonding. Besides, due to the large elastic modulus of diamond, the edge deformation can be small. And the extrusion deformation of the cut non-ferrous metal is small. The cutting process can be completed under small deformation. It can improve the quality of the processed surface.
Applications:
The diamond circular saw blade can cut non-ferrous metal that is difficult to process. And cut a large number of non-metallic materials. It can cut high-hardness materials such as glass fiber reinforced plastics, silicone-filled materials, hard carbon fiber, and epoxy composite materials, concrete, refractory materials, stone. Processing of hard and brittle materials such as ceramics.
1.2 High-speed steel saw blade
It is also known as a white steel blade, manganese steel saw blade (not inlaid with a cemented carbide blade).
This is a kind of material with a high carbon (C), tungsten (W), molybdenum (Mo), chromium and vanadium (V). It has excellent thermal hardness after heat treatment.
There is no significant decrease in hardness when the cutting temperature is more than 600°C in cutting processing.
The cutting speed of saw blades made with it can reach more than 60 meters per minute. Then the high-speed steel saw blade gets its name.
Uses:
This high-speed steel saw blade can process narrow and deep grooves of various materials.
These materials include steel, iron, copper, aluminum, and other metal materials in medium hardness. It can also mill non-metallic materials and hard-to-cut materials. Such as high-strength steel such as heat-resistant steel and stainless steel.
1.3 Carbide tipped saw blade is cemented carbide circular saw blade and someone also call it as TCT saw blade.
It is a circular saw blade composed of a base body and a cemented carbide blade. There is a circular thin steel plate (base body) and some teeth. The steel plate has been processed, formed and heat-treated. There are carbide tips inlaid on the teeth. The saw blade is installed on the rotating spindle through the center hole. And clamped by the chuck for rotating cutting. The common types of cemented carbide are tungsten-cobalt type (code YG) and tungsten-titanium type (code YT). The alloy composition used will be very different when cut different materials
Application
This carbide saw blade can saw and cut wood materials. Such as solid wood, man-made panels, and aluminum materials.
It can also cut aluminum alloys, aluminum profiles, radiators, and other materials such as plastics, plastic steel, and glass, too.
1.4 Solid carbide saw blade: also called saw blade milling cutter
This saw blade is produced by solid cemented carbide (also called tungsten carbide). It can process alloy steel, stainless steel, high-strength steel, quenching, and tempering. Solid carbide saw blades will have a longer service life than high-speed steel saw blades.
When we cut hardened steel, titanium alloy, non-ferrous metals, and other metallic. Solid carbide saw blades has more advantage.
Application:
It can saw and cut various metallic or non-metallic materials. It can mill and groove. Also can saw plastics, rubber, PVC, paper, etc. Processing of cloth and other fabrics.
1.5. Cermet saw blade, also called Cold saw blade
Cermet saw blade is a cold-cutting saw composed of a matrix and a cermet blade. The sawing method is cold milling. The sawing process generates very little heat. It can avoid internal stress and material structure changes at the cut section. At the same time, the saw blade has a small pressure on the steel pipe, will not cause deformation and section burrs. And can improve the accuracy of workpiece sawing and maximize the service life of the saw blade.
Application:
It can saw all kinds of rolled steel, cold-formed steel, high-frequency welded pipe, 45# steel bar, stainless steel bar, and black metal solid bar.
2: Above we introduced the main materials and uses of saw blades.
Now let's take a closer look at how to choose a suitable circular saw blade. Before purchasing a saw blade, what aspects we need to consider.
The diameter, number of teeth, and thickness of the saw blade must be selected correctly. If we know the material, shape, size, thickness, cutting method, and other parameters, we can choose the appropriate teeth quantity, saw blade diameter, and thickness of the circular saw blade.
2.1 Choose sawblades material according to workpiece material
If the material is different hardness, the circular saw blade will be different.
If the workpiece is hard, the saw blade head needs to choose correctly. If the saw blade is too hard, it will be easily damaged. if the material is soft, the saw blade head can be harder to increase the durability of the saw blade.
At present, the main saw blades are divided into the following 5 categories according to the cutting material.
*woodworking saw blades (cutting wood, bamboo, and other plant materials).
*Saw blades for stone (cutting stones, cement, etc.).
*Metal processing saw blades (cutting copper and cutting) Aluminum cutting stainless steel, cutting non-ferrous metals, black metals, etc.).
*Saw blades for cutting plastic (plastic, PVC, rubber, etc.).
*Circular saw blades for acrylic (cutting glass), cutting diamonds, etc.
| Circular saw blade types
Workpiece material |
PCD saw blade | solid carbide
saw blade |
carbide tipped saw blade
(TCT circular saw blade) |
Cermet tipped
saw blade |
HSS saw blade |
| wood and wood composite,
bamboo, MDF, chipboard, |
√√ | √√ | √√ | √-only for solid wood | |
| Metal | √√ | √√ | √√ | √√ | √- not popular |
| Diamond, stone,
plastic, glass |
√√ | √√ | √√ | Not suggested | |
|
Conclusion |
Price level: PCD saw blade > solid carbide saw blade > carbide tipped saw blade > Cermet tipped saw blade>HSS saw blade
Lifetime: PCD saw blade > solid carbide saw blade > carbide tipped saw blade > Cermet tipped saw blade>HSS saw blade |
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2.2 Choose sawblades from Cutting shape
The shape of the material is sometimes regular and sometimes irregular. So some adjustments must be made according to the results of the trial cutting.
2.3 Saw blade thickness, tooth type, and number of teeth selection
The size and thickness of the workpiece determine the thickness and number of teeth of the circular carbide saw blade. If the material is thin, the saw blade should be thin. And the number of teeth should be large to avoid material bending and burrs. If the material is thick, the saw blade should be thick. And the number of teeth should be small to avoid saw blade deflection, sticking, and tooth chipping. Generally speaking, the more the number of teeth, the more edges can cut in a unit of time. The cutting performance will better, too.
Yet, the more cutting teeth will need more cemented carbide, the price of the saw blade will be higher.
And when the teeth are too dense, the chip volume between the teeth will become smaller. It is easy to make the saw blade heat up. Besides, there are many saw teeth, when the feed amount is not correctly matched, the cutting amount of each tooth will be small. It will aggravate the friction between the cutting edge and the workpiece. And the service life of the cutting edge will be shorter. Usually, the tooth spacing is 15-25mm. We need to select a reasonable number of teeth according to the workpiece material.
Take the selection of saw blades in the woodworking industry as an example. Considering factors such as cost performance, wear resistance, and life span. Carbide saw blades are the first choice.
First of all, we need to choose the materials of the saw blade.
The popular types of cemented carbide for circular saw blades are tungsten-cobalt type (code YG) and tungsten-titanium type (code YT). Because tungsten carbide has better impact resistance. It is widely used in the wood processing industry. The popular used model in wood processing is YG8-YG15. The number after YG indicates the percentage of cobalt content. When the cobalt content increases, the impact, toughness, and flexural strength of the alloy will increase. But the hardness and wear resistance will decrease. Choose correct according to the actual situation
Secondly, we choose the tooth profile. Common tooth profiles include
Left and right teeth (alternating teeth). Trapezoidal flat teeth (high and low teeth). Inverted trapezoidal teeth (inverted cone teeth), dovetail teeth (hump teeth)
Here below we will talk in detail.
A: left and right teeth (alternating teeth): The left and right teeth are the most widely used. The cutting speed is fast, and the grinding is simple.
This kind of circular saw blade is suitable for cross-cut sawing of various materials.
Such as soft and hard solid wood profile. Density boards, multi-layer boards, particle boards, etc.
Equipped with anti-repulsion protection teeth, the left and right teeth are dovetail teeth. It is suitable for the longitudinal cutting of various tree-node boards.
Saw blades with negative rake angle left and right teeth are usually used for veneer sawing. Because their teeth are sharp and have good cutting quality.
B: trapezoidal flat teeth (high and low teeth)
The ladder flat tooth saw blade is a combination of both trapezoidal tooth and flat tooth. The grinding is more complicated. It can reduce the veneer cracking when sawing. And it is suitable for all kinds of single and double veneer wood-based panels. And fire-resistant boards. To prevent adhesion, aluminum saw blades often use ladder flat teeth with more teeth.
C: inverted trapezoidal teeth (inverted cone teeth)
Inverted ladder teeth saw blades are often used for bottom slot saw blades for panel saws. When sawing double veneer wood-based panels, the slot saw blade adjusts the thickness. Then it can complete the bottom grooving process. And then the main saw completes the board sawing process to prevent the saw edge from breaking the edge.
In summary, left and right teeth saw blade should be selected for sawing wood, particleboard, and dense board. It can sharply cut the wood fiber structure and make the incision smooth. To keep the bottom of the groove flat and grooved. It is better to use flat teeth or use left and right flat combined teeth. Ladder flat teeth are generally used for sawing veneers and fireproof boards. Because of the large cutting rate, the diameter and thickness of alloy saw blades are relatively large. The diameter is about 350-450mm and the thickness is between 4.0-4.8mm. Most of them are used. Ladder flat teeth to reduce chipping and saw marks.
D: dovetail teeth (hump teeth)
The left and right teeth equipped with anti-repulsion protection teeth are dovetail teeth. It is suitable for longitudinal cutting of all kinds of boards with tree nodes.
2.4 Cutting requirements, cutting methods
In the current cutting industry, many workpieces have cutting requirements and cutting methods. For example, some aluminum alloy doors and windows require a 45-degree bevel cut. Some workpieces need cut without burrs, smooth cut surfaces, and no chipping. Need to choose the appropriate alloy saw blade according to the actual situation.
2.5 Selection of saw blade diameter
The diameter of the saw blade is related to the sawing equipment and the thickness of the workpiece. The diameter of the saw blade is small, and the cutting speed is low. The large diameter of the saw blade has higher requirements on the saw blade and sawing equipment. And the sawing efficiency is also high.
The outer diameter of the saw blade is selected according to different circular saw machines. We need use the saw blade with the same diameter.
The diameters of standard parts are: 110MM (4 inches), 150MM (6 inches), 180MM (7 inches). And 200MM (8 inches), 230MM (9 inches), 250MM (10 inches). 300MM (12 inches), 350MM ( 14-inch), 400MM (16-inch), 450MM (18-inch),. 500MM (20-inch), etc.
The bottom groove saw blades for precision panel saws are mostly designed to be 120MM.
2.6 Choose the thickness of the saw blade:
Theoretically, we hope that the thinner the saw blade is, the better the saw kerf will be. The material of the carbide circular saw blade base. And the process of manufacturing the saw blade determines the thickness of the saw blade. If the thickness is too thin, the saw blade is easy to shake when working, which affects the cutting effect. When choosing the thickness of the saw blade. we need to consider the stability of the saw blade and the workpiece material. Some special-purpose materials need specific thicknesses. We should choose according to equipment requirements. such as slotting saw blades, scoring saw blades, etc.
3. Basic guidelines for Sawblade installation and manual
3.1.1. The equipment is in good condition. The main shaft has no deformation. No diameter jump, firm installation and fixation, no vibration, etc.
3.1.2. Check whether the saw blade is damaged. Whether the tooth profile is complete. Whether the sawing board is smooth and clean. and whether there are other abnormal phenomena to ensure safe use.
3.1.3. When assembling, make sure that the arrow direction of the saw blade is consistent with the rotation direction of the equipment spindle.
3.1.4. When the saw blade is installed, keep the shaft, chuck, and flange clean. The inner diameter of the flange is consistent with the inner diameter of the saw blade. Ensure that the flange and the saw blade are tightly combined. Install the positioning pin and tighten the nut. The size of the flange should be appropriate. And the outer diameter should not be less than 1/3 of the diameter of the saw blade.
3.1.5. Before the equipment start to work, under the condition of safety, there is one person to operate the equipment, jog idling. Check whether the steering of the equipment is correct. Whether there is vibration, and the saw blade is idling for a few minutes after it is installed. And it will be normal after no slipping, swing or beating.
3.2 Manual of circular saw blades:
3.2.1. Select the appropriate saw blade according to the design requirements of the equipment.
3.2.2. The equipment should be equipped with safety protection devices. Such as a protective cover, power-off brake, overload protection, etc.
3.2.3. There are professional operators to install and use.
Wear work clothes, protective goggles, earmuffs, etc.
3.2.4. Operators should not wear gloves. Put long hair in a work camp, and pay attention to ties and cuffs to prevent danger.
3.2.5. Keep away from fire and humid environment.
3.2.6. When working, fix the workpiece. Make the profile positioning is in line with the direction of the knife. It can avoid abnormal cutting. Do not apply side pressure or curve cutting, the knife should be stable. And avoid the impact of the knife-edge contacting the workpiece. It may cause damage to the saw blade or The workpiece flew out and an accident occurred.
3.2.7. During work, if there is abnormal sound and vibration, rough cutting surface, or peculiar smell, we have to stop the operation immediately. Check the fault in time to avoid accidents.
3.2.8. When starting and stopping cutting, do not feed the tool too fast to avoid broken teeth and damage.
3.2.9. If cutting aluminum alloy or other metals, special cooling lubricants should be used. It can prevent the saw blade from overheating, generating paste teeth, and other damage. This will affect the cutting quality.
3.2.10. Equipment chip trough and slag suction device should be ensureed unobstructed. So that to prevent slag accumulation and agglomeration, affecting production and safety.
3.2.11. When dry cutting, please do not cut continuously for a long time. So as not to affect the service life and cutting effect of the saw blade. wet cutting should be cut with water to prevent leakage.
4. How to maintain circular saw blades
4.1. If the saw blade needs to be placed after use, try to avoid stacking the saw blade too high. Because this will cause the saw blade to be twisted and deformed for a long time. (Everyone who has used it knows that once the saw blade is twisted and deformed, it is considered scrapped.) Try to choose vertical placement, one layer or two layers are fine. Try to put the used saw blade back in the original box, and avoid placing it in a damp corner.
4.2. If the surface of the circular saw blade does not have anti-rust treatment, then we should use anti-rust oil after usage.
If the saw blade is a bit blunt, be sure not to grind it by yourself. Jus return the saw blade to the original manufacturer for polishing. So that the quality of the saw blade can be guaranteed.
4.3. Some end-users need to process the saw blade before use, (such as drilling holes on the saw blade, etc.). Try to tell your requirements before buying. And let them make professional drilling for you, and to avoid the emergence of a waste saw blade.
Here comes the conclusion. A chart for the types of circular saw blades, teeth shape, and applications is as below.
The specific use of each circular saw blade will vary depending on the cutting material and cutting requirements. We strongly recommend you to consult customer service or technical personnel before purchasing.
Teeth shape
Post time: May-11-2021