Diamond Blade Vs. Abrasive Blade: 5 Comparison Points

Which, between a diamond blade vs. abrasive blade, should you use for your project? This is a very common question asked by many people. To answer the question, we compared the two cutting tools on five different aspects: cutting performance and efficiency, blade durability, and size differences. Let’s take a closer look:

Diamond cutting Blade

A diamond cutting blade is a type of saw blade made of diamond particles on its cutting edge. The cutting surface is very hard and effective on almost any material, including metal, stone, and other masonry materials.

To hold the cutting edge in place, it is usually mounted on a steel core. The steel core is designed for different applications and cutting depths. Diamond blades are often used in construction, fabrication, and even demolition processes.

You can use a diamond blade cutting disc with a circular saw, angle grinder, and other machines that are powered with electricity or gas. They are also available in different sizes to fit the specific needs of your projects.

Abrasive Blade

An abrasive blade is an industrial cutting tool made out of resin-bonded particles on its cutting edge. Unlike the diamond cutting blade, the particles are not diamond but made of other materials such as silicon carbide or alumina.

Abrasive blades can be used for cutting a variety of things including metal sheets and pipes, masonry blocks, stones, and concrete walls. They are also available in different sizes to fit more specific applications.

Because of their abrasive nature, these tools tend to wear out faster than diamond blades. They also do not have a long lifespan and need to be replaced more often than diamond blades. For more about the difference between the two blades, read on.

Diamond Blade Vs. Abrasive Blade

Diamond blades have their advantages and disadvantages over abrasive blades, but so do abrasive blades over diamond blades. The following comparison of diamond blade vs. abrasive blade will help you decide which tool is best for your application:

Diamond Blade Cutting

Diamond blades and abrasive blades do not cut in the same way. In contrast with what many people assume, diamond blades do not cut. Instead, they grind through the material, using slow erosion to cut through materials.

This diamond blade cutting process is known as abrasion, and it relies on the diamond particles in the blade grinding away at the material being cut. An abrasive blade, however, uses a cutting action to cut materials.

In terms of speed and performance, diamond blades are always the better option. They can cut through hard materials such as brick, concrete, stone and ceramic tiles quickly and without producing excessive heat or dust. Plus, you can use water to cool your wet/dry diamond blade to minimize heat and eliminate dust.

Diamond Blade Life Expectancy

Diamond blades tend to last much longer than abrasive blades. The longer diamond blade life expectancy is mainly due to the diamond particles that make up the cutting edge of the blade. The hardness of these minerals makes them less prone to wear and tear.

Abrasive blades, on the other hand, are made with softer metals which mean they will need to be replaced. As an example, you can expect to uses as many as 50 abrasive blades for one diamond blade replacement.

That means two things: one, that you it’s likely that you could end up saving money with diamond blade cutting in the long run, and two, that you won’t be spending your valuable time replacing your tool’s cutting blades. This is especially if you are working on a high-volume project.

Diamond Blade Sizes

When it comes to diamond blade sizes, the options are far more varied than those of abrasive blades. You can find diamond blades in a wide range of sizes, from tiny ones measuring 4 inches for intricate cutting to much larger ones measuring up to 60 inches or more for bigger jobs.

Abrasive blades are typically only available in standard sizes and shapes, with fewer customization options. Generally, you can only use these blades in smaller machines such as grinders, mostly owing to their weaker construction.

Diamond Blade Cutting Depth

When it comes to cutting depth, diamond blades offer much more flexibility than abrasive blades. An efficient diamond blade can make a deep cut into nearly any material imaginable, especially concrete and stonework.

Diamond blades are available in a wide range of sizes, from the small 4 inch blade to as large as 60 inches for masonry wall. That means more options for cutting depths to suit your needs.

Depending on the type of saw used, the diamond blade cutting depth can range from 1 inch when using a 4 inch disc on a handheld tool to as deep as 20 inches when cutting with a 48-inch saw blade.

Diamond Blade Cost

The cost of diamond blades is higher than that of abrasive blades, but they more than make up for it in the long run. Their longer lifespan and superior cutting performance means you can save money in the long, especially if you’re doing a lot of cutting.

Plus, as there are so many sizes available on the market, you can find a diamond blade that will fit your budget. Just to give you an idea, a diamond blade with a diameter of 4-7 inches costs around $50-$90. The diamond blade price for larger sizes inches can go up to $200 or higher.

Abrasive blades cost significantly less than diamond blades, but they simply do not have the same level of cutting performance and durability. So you end up using several blades to complete a single task or project. In addition to costing you more money, that would mean lost time changing blades in the middle of your projects.

Conclusion

To conclude this diamond blade vs. abrasive blade comparison, we must say that diamond blades offer more benefits. They last longer and can cut through even the toughest materials with greater precision. On the other hand, abrasive blades offer a more affordable option for lighter cutting jobs.

Ultimately, choosing between a diamond blade and an abrasive blade depends on your specific application or project. Diamond blades will offer superior performance and a longer life expectancy, making them the better choice in most cases.