Diamond blades are circular steel discs with a diamond bearing edge. This edge can have one of three types of configurations: segmented, continuous rim or serrated (turbo).The blade's core is a precision made, steel disc that might have slots. The slots, also called gullets, provide faster cooling by allowing water or air to flow between the segments. The slots also allow the blade to flex and expand under cutting pressure.

Most diamond blade cores are tensioned at the factory. This way the blade will run straight at cutting speeds. Proper tension is important to allow the blade to remain flexible enough to bend slightly under high cutting pressure and snap back into position. Diamond blade segments or rims are made up of a mixture of diamonds and metal powders. Diamonds used in blades are almost exclusively manufactured diamonds in various grit sizes and quality grades.

In the manufacturing process of blades, the metal powder and diamond grit mixture is hot pressed at high temperatures to form a solid metal alloy called the bond or matrix in which the diamond grit is retained. The segment or rim is slightly wider than the blade core. This side clearance allows the cutting edge to penetrate through the material without steel drag occurring. To attach the diamond rim or segments to the steel core, several different processes are used:

Brazing: Silver solder is placed between the segment or rim and the core. At high temperatures, the solder melts and bonds the two parts together.

Laser Welding: The diamond segment and steel blade core are welded (fused) together by a laser beam.

Mechanical bond: A notched, serrated or textured blade core may be used to "lock" the diamond rim or segments onto the edge of the blade. Mechanical bonds usually also include brazing or other metallurgical bonding processes to hold the rim or segments in place.

How do abrasive blade wheels work?

PROBLEMS	CAUSES
	As the wheel contacts the material, exposed surface grains grind away small chips of material
	As the wheel grinds, the material causes the surface grains to fracture, exposing new, sharp cutting points. The material also wears away the bond between the grains.
	Eventually the surface grains are used up. The old grains are released as the bond wears away, and new grains are exposed. This grinding/wearing process continues until the wheel is used up.