Segmented Versus Continuous Diamond Blades

With so much choice out there, finding the right diamond blade for the job can be a minefield. Not only do you have to consider the material you’re cutting and machine to be used but also the type of rim, as this affects how the blade cuts and whether it will meet your needs. If you use the incorrect blade for the material it can cause the blade to fail to cut properly.

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Norton Clipper diamond blades come with three different types of cutting rims; Segmented, Flat Continuous Rim and Turbo Corrugated Continuous Rim. You can then find the right blade based on the material you’re cutting by following our colour coded packaging and machine guide icons.

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Why use segmented blades?

• The gullets (space between the segments) help to extract cutting dust and cool the blade.
• They also offer the blade a little flexibility to prevent cracks developing when used in demanding conditions.
• These blades offer the roughest cut and are used when dry and wet cutting.
• The more abrasive material you’re cutting, the wider the slot should be.
• Segmented blades are ideal for concrete, reinforced concrete, asphalt and all building materials.

 

These are some of our blades that are segmented based on material:

Beton/Concrete (Red)

Extreme Beton Silencio

With up to 17mm high segments and a bespoke specification for each application, Norton Clipper Silencio is our quietest diamond blade, reducing noise by up to 30x (-13 dB) compared to conventional blades when used on concrete, reinforced concrete, granite and building materials, while achieving a fast, efficient cut. ORDER TODAY

Universal (Blue)

Extreme Universal Laser

Up to 15mm high segments provide long life and fast cut on all building materials. The Duo segments (on 300mm and 350mm diameter blades only) provide high cutting speed, improved comfort and low vibration levels allowing you to get the job done faster. It also reduces heat and cools the blade. Arrow shape gullet slots quickly remove debris from the blade surface and indicate the rotation direction. Laser welded segments ensure optimum safety against segment loss. ORDER TODAY                     

Asphalt (Black)

Pro Asphalt

Laser welded blade for intensive use and long life on asphalt, asphalt over concrete, green concrete and abrasive building materials. It features patented depth indicator for blade life monitoring and indication of cutting direction (up to diameter 450mm). ORDER TODAY

Natural Stone (Turquoise)

Extreme Granite

15mm high laser welded segments uses exclusive ‘arrow’ shaped gullet slots. The ‘duo’ shaped trapezoidal segments produced with i-HD™ technology offer longer life, excellent cutting speed, improved comfort and increased safety. ORDER TODAY

4x4 Explorer (Grey)

Pro 4x4 Explorer

Up to 12mm segment height for more cuts per wheel. The trapezoid shaped segments give a comfortable, smoother cut with lower vibration levels. This is a multipurpose blade to cut all materials, from hardest concrete and granite to abrasive asphalts and sandstones. ORDER TODAY             

Refractory Materials (Orange)

Extreme RC540

A laser-welded diamond blade with wide-gullet geometry for use on Oxydes – Zirconia, Silica, high content aluminia >70% - Mullite.  ORDER TODAY

 

Why use flat continuous rim blades?

Why use flat continuous rim blades?

• Continuous rim blades are required for a good quality finish and longer life rather than quicker cuts.
• They are mainly used when wet cutting to cool down the blade and flush out debris and prevent dust.
• The flat continuous surface means there are no shocks against the material that could create chips in the work piece.
• This type of blade is particularly suitable for tiles, especially roof tiles, that need a perfect finish.

 

These are the blades that have flat continuous rim segments based on material:

Universal (Blue)

Pro Universal Turbo

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With a 12mm high continuous rim blade, it’s ideal for use on general building materials and stone, particularly roof tiles, when either wet or dry cutting. Reinforced flanges around the bore ensure rigidity and straight cutting under the most demanding conditions. ORDER TODAY

Ceramic (Green)

Classic Ceramic

A value for money continuous rimmed diamond blade for dry or wet cutting of medium hard tiles and ceramic tiles. ORDER TODAY     

 

Why use turbo corrugated continuous rim blades?

Why use turbo corrugated continuous rim blades?

• When the material is extremely hard a more aggressive cut is needed, therefore a corrugated continuous rim is the best fit.
• This design gives small shocks to the workpiece when tackling the hardest tiles and building materials.
• It is designed to cut faster in wet and dry applications.
• Blades with turbo corrugated continuous rim are suitable for ceramic and porcelain tiles, granite, roof tiles and other hard materials.

 

These are the blades that have flat continuous rim segments based on material:

Universal (Blue)

Extreme Universal Turbo

The corrugated continuous rim enables smooth, high quality cutting and ease of use. It also cuts more aggressively on hard materials. The 12mm impregnated diamond segments provide very long life. Ideal for use on a very wide range of medium to hard construction materials, block paviours, granite, natural stone, roof tiles and hard tiles. ORDER TODAY 

Avoiding Segment Loss

Users may occasionally come across instances of segment loss due to not using the equipment correctly. Here are some typical examples of what causes segment loss and how it be avoided.

Possible Cause Solution     The material and/or saw was not held firmly, which caused the blade to twist or jam in the cut.  Hold/support material or saw firmly. Not sawing in a straight line with overcorrecting caused the blade to twist or jam in the cut.  Properly align the saw to allow straight cutting, avoid twisting the blade in the cut.  Defective flanges which cause the blade to flutter in the cut or fail to properly support the blade in perfect alignment. Clean foreign material from flange surfaces, or replace flanges if they are under manufacturer’s recommended diameter or are bent or deformed.  Blade is too hard for material being cut causing the segment to glaze over. The segment separated due to impacts or fatigue.  Use the proper blade specification for material being cut. Use our blade selector tool to find the right blade. Overheating due to inadequate supply of coolant (water or air). This usually comes with discolorations on the core in the area of segment loss. Overheating of blades may cause core cracks or segment loss.  If wet cutting, provide adequate water flow on both sides of the blade.
If dry cutting, periodically allow blades to run out of the cut. The blades will cool in a few seconds so that sawing may continue.  Under cutting on steel centre. Blades centres suffer undercutting from abrasive material or inadequate water supply. Use undercutting protection or increase water flow. If in doubt, return blade for inspection.

For more information about selecting the right diamond blade for your material, visit our Diamond Blades Guide or get in touch.

Devour tools offers a good selection of standard blades, premium blades, and bits. If you need a metal cutting blade, no worries. If tile blades are what you are after, just ask. We have what you need for nearly any application. Just make sure you know the difference between a continuous rim and segmented blade. After all, you want to choose the right blade for the job.

The biggest difference between continuous rim and segmented blades is blade construction. It is easy enough to see with the naked eye. A continuous rim blade is a solid piece with a continuous cutting surface around the entire diameter. A segmented blade is divided into multiple segments with notches that are built in. Just three or four notches in a segmented blade can make an enormous difference in how it works.

More About Segmented Blades

For the remainder of this post, everything we discuss will be in relation to diamond blades. A segmented diamond blade offers plenty of cutting surface to get through those tough jobs. Segmented blades are generally chosen for applications like concrete, brick, masonry block, and reinforced concrete. You get a quick and rough cut with no fuss.

Obviously, a segmented blade is not the right choice for precision work. But it can be used for both wet and dry cuts. The big advantage of the segmented blade is that it doesn’t necessarily need a liquid coolant. The notches in the blade material draw air down to help cool the blade while it is working. As an added bonus, the notches make it easier for the blade to channel away debris.

We normally see the segmented blade easily slicing through something like concrete. But because of the notches, chipping is always a risk. Operators should be cognizant of that risk at all times, especially when working with materials like marble, granite, and brick. Safety glasses and other protective equipment are non-negotiable.

More About Continuous Rim Blades

The continuous rim blade tends to be a softer bond blade chosen for precision work. It is the blade of choice for porcelain, glass, granite, and tile – essentially those materials that are too easily chipped by segmented blades. They can be used wet or dry, though it is almost always better to use them wet.

Wet cutting with a continuous blade not only cools the blade, but it also prolongs blade life by continuously flushing out dirt and debris. You get less friction during the cut. You also generate less heat, which definitely reduces the life of a diamond blade.

Also note that continuous rim blades are designed to operate at lower speeds. The trade-off is a much cleaner cut more appropriate to precision work.

Always Consider Blade Hardness

Whether you are using segmented or continuous rim blades, always be cognizant of the blade hardness. By that we mean the bond between the blade surface and the diamonds attached to it. Bond hardness is measured as soft, medium, or hard. The harder the bond, the less quickly diamonds are exposed. Note that gradual diamond exposure is normal.

Softer bonds are ideal for hard and dense materials like porcelain and tile. On the other end of the spectrum, more porous materials are better attacked using blades with harder bonds. Think concrete and asphalt. These more porous surfaces can do a number on soft bonds quickly.

As always, do not be afraid to ask questions about our segmented and continuous rim diamond blades. We are always ready to provide an answer. Our goal is to make sure you always have the right blade for the job.

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