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Concrete Saw Blades

by Blades Admin

Concrete Saw Blades: Complete Guide for Cutting Concrete, Masonry, and Hard Materials

Concrete saw blades are essential tools in construction, demolition, roadwork, landscaping, and professional masonry. Whether used for cutting cured concrete, reinforced slabs, asphalt, block, brick, or stone, these blades are designed for power, precision, and durability. Their engineering, material composition, and performance characteristics make them indispensable for contractors who need clean, accurate cuts on demanding surfaces.

This in-depth guide covers everything you need to know about concrete saw blades—types, materials, segment designs, bonding, applications, saw compatibility, and cutting best practices—to help you choose the right blade and achieve consistent, high-quality results.

What Are Concrete Saw Blades?

Concrete saw blades are specialized cutting tools crafted to slice through hardened materials such as cured concrete, green concrete, reinforced concrete, asphalt, brick, block, and natural stone. Unlike traditional steel blades, concrete saw blades incorporate industrial-grade diamonds embedded within the cutting segments. These diamonds provide exceptional hardness and abrasion resistance, allowing the blade to grind through hard materials instead of tearing or chipping them.

Concrete saw blades are used with a variety of saws, including:

  • Walk-behind concrete saws

  • Floor saws

  • Gas-powered cut-off saws

  • Electric masonry saws

  • High-RPM handheld saws

  • Table saws for block and pavers

Each blade is engineered to handle the heat, pressure, and friction that occurs during high-intensity concrete cutting.

Diamond Blades vs. Abrasive Blades

When discussing concrete saw blades, the two main categories are diamond blades and abrasive blades. Although abrasive blades still have uses, diamond blades dominate the industry due to their lifespan and performance.

Diamond Concrete Blades

These feature a steel core with diamond-embedded segments.
Benefits include:

  • Superior lifespan

  • Faster cutting

  • Smoother finishes

  • Less dust generation

  • Better heat dissipation

Diamond blades are the go-to choice for professional concrete cutting.

Abrasive Concrete Blades

Made from composite materials such as aluminum oxide.
Benefits include:

  • Lower upfront cost

  • Useful for short-term or one-time applications

However, abrasive blades wear out much faster and require frequent replacement, making them less practical for heavy-duty or continuous work.

Different Types of Concrete Saw Blades

Concrete saw blades come in various segment styles and rim configurations, each designed to handle different materials and cutting conditions.

1. Segmented Rim Blades

Segmented blades have gullets between the cutting segments for optimal cooling and debris removal.

Best for:

  • Cured concrete

  • Reinforced concrete

  • Brick, block, pavers

  • Asphalt (when using softer bonds)

Advantages:

  • Excellent airflow

  • Fast cutting

  • Long lifespan

These are the most commonly used concrete saw blades due to their versatility and durability.

2. Turbo Rim Blades

Turbo blades feature angled or serrated rims that increase cutting speed while still delivering clean results.

Best for:

  • Concrete

  • Masonry

  • Hard brick

  • Some natural stones

Advantages:

  • High cutting speed

  • Controlled chipping

  • Balanced heat dissipation

Turbo blades are preferred for medium-hardness materials where a clean cut is important.

3. Continuous Rim Blades

These blades have a smooth, unbroken rim, which produces the cleanest edge.

Best for:

  • Tile

  • Marble

  • Porcelain

  • Soft stone

Though not typically used for thick concrete, continuous rims are essential when precision and a chip-free finish are required.

4. Laser-Welded Diamond Blades

Laser welding fuses the segments to the core with extreme strength.

Best for:

  • Reinforced concrete

  • High-PSI concrete

  • Long, continuous cutting

  • Professional and industrial applications

Advantages:

  • Strongest segment bond

  • High heat tolerance

  • Longest lifespan

These blades are built for demanding jobs where lesser blades would fail.

Bond Hardness and Why It Matters

The bond refers to the metal matrix that holds the diamonds in the cutting segment. Bond hardness determines how quickly the blade wears and how efficiently diamonds are exposed.

Soft Bond Blades

  • Wear quickly

  • Continually expose new diamonds
    Best for:

  • Asphalt

  • Abrasive materials

Medium Bond Blades

  • Balance between lifespan and cutting aggression
    Best for:

  • Standard concrete

  • General construction

Hard Bond Blades

  • Slowest wear rate

  • Ideal for hard materials
    Best for:

  • Reinforced concrete

  • Granite

  • High PSI concrete

Choosing the right bond ensures optimal performance and avoids premature glazing or rapid wear.

Concrete Saw Blade Sizes

Concrete saw blade sizes vary based on the saw type and the required cutting depth. Common diameters include:

  • 12 inch

  • 14 inch (most popular for handheld saws)

  • 16 inch

  • 18 inch

  • 20 inch

  • 24 inch and larger for walk-behind and road saws

The blade size determines the maximum cutting depth. For example:

  • A 14-inch blade typically cuts around 5 inches deep

  • A 20-inch blade cuts around 7–7.5 inches deep

Larger blades are ideal for utility trenches, slab cutting, and structural demolition.

Wet Cutting vs. Dry Cutting

Concrete saw blades are designed for either wet or dry use, depending on the material, environment, and blade construction.

Wet Cutting

Water acts as a coolant and lubricant, offering critical benefits:

  • Reduces dust

  • Extends blade life

  • Improves cutting speed

  • Prevents overheating

Most professional concrete saw blades are designed for wet cutting.

Dry Cutting

Dry blades include heat-resistant bonds and ventilation holes for cooling.
Best for:

  • Quick cuts

  • Areas where water is not allowed

However, dry cutting requires intermittent passes to prevent overheating, and produces significantly more dust.

Reinforced Concrete Cutting

Cutting reinforced concrete introduces additional challenges due to the steel rebar embedded within the material. Concrete saw blades designed for reinforcement cutting include:

  • Stronger cores

  • Laser-welded segments

  • Hard-metal matrices

  • High diamond concentration

These features allow the blade to handle the hardness of steel without segment loss or overheating.

How Long Do Concrete Saw Blades Last?

Blade lifespan varies depending on several factors:

  • Material hardness

  • Bond strength

  • Segment height

  • Saw horsepower

  • Cutting technique

  • Presence of water

A high-quality concrete blade can last anywhere from:

  • 100–300 linear feet on reinforced concrete

  • 300–600 linear feet on standard concrete

  • 500–1,000+ feet on asphalt

Premium blades with taller segments (12mm–20mm) last significantly longer and offer better value over time.

Choosing the Right Concrete Saw Blade for the Job

To choose the best blade, consider:

1. Material Type

  • Asphalt → soft bond

  • Cured concrete → medium or hard bond

  • Reinforced concrete → laser-welded hard bond

  • Block and brick → medium bond

2. Saw Type

Ensure blade RPM rating matches the saw specifications.

3. Blade Diameter

Match the diameter to the required cutting depth.

4. Arbor Size

Common arbor sizes:

  • 1"

  • 20mm

  • 7/8"

Using the wrong arbor can lead to wobbling, poor cutting, and safety hazards.

Segment Designs Used in Concrete Saw Blades

Segments vary by shape, height, and diamond concentration:

Standard Segments

Good for general-purpose concrete cutting.

Turbo Segments

Provide a blend of speed and smoothness.

Drop-Segments

Designed to prevent undercutting in asphalt.

High-Segment Blades (15mm–20mm)

Offer extended lifespan and consistent performance.

Segment shape dramatically affects cutting efficiency and blade longevity.

Safety Tips When Using Concrete Saw Blades

Working with concrete saws requires proper safety methods to protect both the operator and the equipment.

  • Wear eye protection, gloves, and steel-toe boots

  • Use hearing protection around high-noise saws

  • Ensure the blade is properly mounted and tightened

  • Inspect segments for cracks or damage before each use

  • Do not exceed the RPM rating

  • Allow the blade to reach full speed before cutting

  • Avoid twisting or binding the blade while cutting

  • Maintain steady, controlled forward pressure

Good safety practices extend blade life and ensure clean, accurate cuts.

Best Uses for Concrete Saw Blades

Concrete saw blades are utilized in a wide variety of professional applications:

  • Road and highway repair

  • Utility trench cutting

  • Driveway and sidewalk cutting

  • Foundation cutting

  • Flooring removal

  • Demolition work

  • Masonry fabrication

  • Hardscape installation

  • Wall sawing

  • Controlled demolition

Their versatility makes them one of the most relied-upon tools in the construction industry.

Conclusion

Concrete saw blades are engineered for performance, durability, and precision. Whether you're working with reinforced concrete, asphalt, block, stone, or brick, choosing the right blade—bond type, segment style, diameter, and cooling method—ensures clean cuts, longer lifespan, and efficient workflow. Understanding these factors helps contractors and professionals get the best results from their saws and achieve dependable performance on every job.

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