MK Diamond MK-100 Tracker - Manual (Page 43)

MK-100 TRACKER Revision 02/03, Effective Date February 12, 2003 Page 43
THEORY
THEORY OF DIAMOND BLADES:
Diamond blades do not really cut; they grind the material through friction. Diamond crystals, often visible at
the leading edge and sides of the rim/segment, remove material by scratching out particles of hard, dense
materials, or by knocking out larger particles of loosely bonded abrasive material. This process eventually
cracks or fractures the diamond particle, breaking it down into smaller pieces. As a result, a diamond blade
for cutting soft, abrasive material must have a hard metal matrix composition to resist this erosion long
enough for the exposed diamonds to be properly utilized. Conversely, a blade for cutting a hard, non-
abrasive material must have a soft bond to ensure that it will erode and expose the diamonds embedded in
the matrix. These simple principles are the foundation of “controlled bond erosion”.
Types of Cutting:
There are two basic types of cutting-Dry or Wet. The choice of which type of blade to use depends on:
• The requirements of the job
• The machine/tool utilizing the diamond blade
• The preference of the operator
In the case of DRY cutting, the overwhelming popularity and quantity of hand-held saws and the flexible
nature of MK Diamond blades to professionally handle most ceramic, masonry, stone and concrete materials,
make the DRY cutting blade a very attractive tool. When using a DRY blade, the user must be aware of
distinct operating practices to ensure optimum performance. DRY cutting blades require sufficient airflow
about the blade to prevent overheating of the steel core. This is best accomplished by shallow, intermittent
cuts of the material with periods of “free-spinning” (for several seconds) between each cut, to maximize the
cooling process.
For WET cutting applications, MK has the exact blade to compliment both the material to be cut and the wet
cutting machine to be used. During cutting operations, liberal amounts of water act as a coolant to support
the cutting effectiveness and longevity of the WET blade. Additionally, using water adds to the overall safety
of cutting operations by keeping the dust signature down.
Know All You Can About the Material You Wish to Cut