Diamond blades are used for cutting a wide range of construction and building materials, including concrete, reinforced concrete, asphalt, brick, block, porcelain, ceramics and stone.
But diamond blades are not all the same.
Different blade designs are suited to different materials and applications. Some are designed for fast, aggressive cutting, while others focus on a cleaner and more controlled finish.
This guide gives you an overview of the main types of diamond blade, the materials they are used for and the different cutting applications they can handle.
If you already know what you need to cut and want help choosing the right blade, see our guide to choosing the right diamond blade.
Diamond blades are used where ordinary cutting discs would struggle to provide the required cutting performance.
They are commonly used for:
The correct blade depends on the material and the type of cut required.
For example, a blade designed for asphalt is built to cope with the highly abrasive nature of the material, while a porcelain blade needs to produce a controlled cut with a clean edge.
The design of the cutting edge affects how a diamond blade performs.
The three main types are:
Segmented blades have separate cutting segments with gaps between them.
They are commonly used for construction materials such as concrete, reinforced concrete, brick and masonry. The design allows fast material removal and provides space for cooling during demanding cutting work.
Turbo blades have a continuous cutting edge with a textured or serrated profile.
They provide a balance between cutting speed and finish and are available for a range of materials and applications.
Continuous rim blades have an uninterrupted cutting edge.
They are commonly used where a cleaner, more controlled cut is important, particularly when cutting porcelain and ceramic tiles.
For a more detailed explanation, see our guide to diamond blade types explained
Choosing a blade by material is one of the most important parts of getting the right cutting performance.
Concrete cutting places considerable demands on a blade, particularly when the concrete contains hard aggregate or reinforcement.
See our concrete cutting guide for more information.
Reinforced concrete contains steel reinforcement as well as concrete, so the blade needs to cope with both materials.
Our guide explains how to cut reinforced concrete with an angle grinder and the considerations involved.
Asphalt is softer than concrete but highly abrasive. A blade designed for abrasive materials helps maintain cutting performance as the blade wears.
Read our asphalt cutting guide or browse our asphalt and abrasive material blades.
Brick and masonry vary in hardness and density, so the blade needs to suit the material being cut.
For a more specific example, see our guide to cutting engineering brick properly.
Porcelain and ceramic tiles need a blade designed for controlled cutting and a clean finish.
See our tile, porcelain and ceramic cutting guide for more information.
Diamond blades are used with a variety of cutting machines.
The machine determines the blade diameter, bore size, maximum RPM and practical cutting depth you can use.
Common machines include:
Our guide to angle grinder vs petrol saw explains the differences between these two common approaches to concrete cutting.
Before fitting any blade, always check that the blade specification matches the machine manufacturer’s requirements.
Diamond blades are available in a range of diameters and bore sizes.
The correct size depends on the machine and the cutting depth you need.
A larger blade can provide a greater cutting depth, but the machine must be designed to accept that blade and operate it at the correct speed.
If you’re unsure about sizing, see our Diamond Blade Sizes Guide and Diamond Blade Bore Size Guide.
Diamond blades can be used for both wet and dry cutting, depending on the blade, machine and application.
Wet cutting uses water to help cool the blade and control dust. Dry cutting can be more convenient where water isn’t practical, but dust control becomes particularly important.
Always check the instructions for the individual blade before use.
For a closer look at the differences, read our guide to wet vs dry cutting.
Using the wrong blade or cutting technique can affect both performance and blade life.
Common problems include:
If your blade isn’t cutting properly, see our guide to why your diamond blade is not cutting.
You can also learn why diamond blades wear out fast and what causes unnecessary wear.
There isn’t one diamond blade that is right for every job.
The best starting point is to identify:
For a step-by-step guide to choosing a blade for a particular application, read How to Choose the Right Diamond Blade.
Once you know the material and application, you can browse our range of diamond blades by category.
Explore our:
If you’re still unsure which blade is suitable for your job, contact us for technical advice.
The right diamond blade should match the job.
Choose according to the material, machine and application, rather than simply buying the cheapest blade available.
The right blade can make cutting faster, cleaner and more efficient.
See our products in action on TikTok, YouTube and Instagram for more site-ready gear and cutting advice.
