Do You Know What Are Circular Saw Blades Made Of?

Last Updated On May 1, 2023

If you have been using circular saw blades for some time now, then you might wonder, “What are circular saw blades made of?”

Circular saw blades are usually made of different kinds of materials. Tungsten carbide, chrome vanadium, high-carbon steel, and aluminum are some of the most used materials for circular saw blades. Each of these materials has its own personalized properties that satisfy the different purposes of your sawing work.

However, there’s more to it regarding these astoundingly robust materials. Binge on until the very end to gather some interesting facts you may not know. 

Types of Circular Saw Blades

There are so many variations of circular saw blades to choose from, each of which performs differently. So, here in this section, we’ll let you know the four different types of circular saw blades available.

Ripping Saw Blade

These blades are specially designed to ensure you get a clean, safe, and smooth cut when cutting or ripping down wood. Moreover, these rip blades have the reputation to cast out all wood dust during cutting due to their straight and large teeth. 

Crosscut Saw Blade

Crosscut saw blades are also designed for perfection on the cut. No matter how you take down woods with this blade, you’re going to get clean cuts whatsoever. Moreover, its kerfed teeth brings a whole different level to wood cutting since it prevents the woods from shifting positions or even leaning during cuts. 

Combination Blade

These blades are designed to both rip-off and crosscuts and are pretty common as circular saw blades. Combination blades also come with various tooth counts, both lower and higher. The higher the teeth in number, the more smooth and precise cuts you’ll be having. 

Specialty Blades

Such kind of blades are a master at cutting woods smooth. Unlike any other circular saw blades, it has plywood and dado that makes it a champ as wood cutting balde. 

Circular Saw Blade Materials Available to You

Materials are vital, especially when you are choosing a circular saw blade. The kind of material used to make a specific saw blade ensures the overall quality and durability of the blade. Here are some of the materials used to make circular saw blades. 

Tungsten Carbide Blades 

Tungsten carbide blades leave a better, smoother, cleaner cut on the product’s surface. These blades allow minimum dust to fly around and minimize the chances of friction against the blade and the product. 

It’s several times denser and resistant to wear and tear compared to other types of steel blades used for circular saw blades. Almost three times denser than iron and essentially almost the same density as gold. 

Since tungsten is very brittle and hard to work with, it is preferred to alloy tungsten with carbon to promote extra strength and toughness. Tungsten Carbide Tips, or TCT, are specially designed to cut through metals seamlessly. 

Aside from metals, tungsten carbide blades can cut through zirconium, rails, nickles, tubing, cobalt, and titanium-based metals. These are hard to cut, and require much pressure and force to work with any regular blades, but tungsten gets it done. 

Chrome Vanadium Steel Blades 

The benefit of blades made of chrome vanadium is that they’re incredibly sharp. Using these on any surface provides extremely precise cuts as the teeth are pointed in alternate directions. 

These blades are typically used on softwoods to get a smooth, clean cut. You can also cut structural beams, culverts, and tubular pipes. The best part about using chrome vanadium steel blades is that they’re highly resistant to rust and corrosion. 

In high friction, the blades will become useless as friction promotes bluntness on the blade, and provides an uneven and distressed cut. 

Although these blades last a very long time, if you are wondering what to do with old saw blades and are inclined to keep using them, it’s best not to. Once these blades are rusted and chipped, they can produce quite a high temperature and possibly even burn through some softwoods.

These blades are typically used to make friction saw blades; they rotate at a very high speed, thus providing clean and precise cuts. 

The durability and reliability of chrome vanadium are so high that these are also used to make space vehicles, aircraft, and nuclear reactors. This only shows how strong, durable, and reliable chrome vanadium steel is to use as saw blades. 

High-Speed Steel 

It’s the ideal type of blade for various shapes and larger-sized items to cut through, such as sheets, tubes, extrusions, plates, and bar stocks. 

Moreover, high-speed steel with cold-cut circular saws provides a precise cut and smooth finish regardless. 

That’s not all; most high-speed steels are coated with steam oxide to maximize wear and tear resistance and cutting performance. 

These blades are easy to resharpen when blunt and use as usual without hindering the output or causing damage to the blade itself.

High Carbon Steel

When it comes to high-carbon steel, one of the most common queries that you’ll find is, “Are circular saw blades high-carbon steel?”  

Well, as a matter of fact, yes, circular saw blades are made of high carbon steel due to its nature of being resistant to cracks. 

High Carbon Steel is the least expensive steel that can effectively get a circular saw blade’s job done without causing any damage to the blade. 

These are also highly flexible and bendable, allowing easy maneuverability of the saw when working at an odd angle. 

That’s not all; the blades can easily cut through thick branches due to the bendability that is significantly higher than other steels. 

Aluminum

There are several circular saw blades made of aluminum available to purchase. Aluminum saw blades are one of the perfect options for cutting any material made of plastic or even aluminum itself. 

These blades can easily and pretty smoothly cut through light alloys with a very sharp and smooth finish. 

However, one thing that needs to be kept in check is not to let these aluminum blades get overheated. Overheating makes these blades super malleable, and that can be severe news for any power tool. 

This is why taking breaks during DIYs is recommended, especially when handling aluminum blade circular saws. 

Does Power Matter for Different Circular Saw Blade Materials? 

The power level for different circular saw blades matters quite a bit. Each saw blade is used at a different speed and power to provide specific needs. Even if you use the blade for circular saw blade, the material it’s used on matters very much. 

Different types of materials require different speeds and power to cut through, thus, requiring different blades for each of them. Therefore, knowing what materials are working with and the purpose of using the appropriate blade type is important. 

Before preparing for the cut, consider how saw blades are made and are circular saw blades hardened. It’s to ensure that whatever you’re trying to cut through does not get damaged or mess up if an inappropriate blade is used. Therefore, proper knowledge of the material and the blade type is crucial. 

Pro Tips to Extend The Lifespan of Circular Saw Blades

If you want your circular saw blades to have an expanded lifespan, then it’s a must for you to take proper care of them. Moreover, it’s also pretty important to clean the blades thoroughly even after using them. 

Here’re a few short tips that would surely come in handy to keep your blades shining and provide the best performance. 

• Since the blades are made of different types of metal, it’s crucial to ensure they’re completely dried and wiped before storing them. 
• This ensures there is no residual water or fleck of dirt and dust on the blade that could promote rust and corrosion. 
• You can also use special solvents and nylon brushes to keep the blade fresh and well-polished. 
• Ensure there’s no leftover dirt or pieces of wood stuck between the teeth of the blades, as it could promote the build-up of materials. 
• Store the blades in a clean and dry place. If you are storing multiple blades in one place, you can use a piece of cotton fabric or a layer of paper towels to prevent the blades from coming in contact with the other. 

FAQs 

1. Are circular saw blades hardened?

Circular saw blades are, in fact, made of hardened teeth. However, only the teeth part of the blade is robust and hard. The teeth are then welded together and fused onto a steel body that can’t be hardened. 

2. Do circular saw blades make good knives?

Yes, circular saw blades make good knives due to their naturally razor-sharp finish. However, there are a few steps before turning a saw blade into a fully functioning knife. When done right, you can get a knife that lasts a very long time. 

3. Do all circular saw blade materials work the same way? 

Blades are versatile and different based on what you use them for. Circular saw blades have different variations. For items made of different materials, blades differ quite a bit. The number of teeth, the size of the blade, and the motion in the direction, whether against or towards the wood grain, all vary. However, some blades have multiple functions built into one that helps get the job done quicker. 

4. Do circular saw blades with carbide tips have usable steel?

Carbide-tipped steel is highly durable and keeps heat production as low as possible. These steel with carbide tips can be used for trekking poles on snow and ice. They offer exceptional traction against the slippery surface. However, it is unlikely for a circular blade saw to be large enough to use for trekking poles or repurposed for anything else. 

Final Words 

After going through this blog, you should know what circular saw blades are made of and how these blades can also vary in materials. 

However, no matter how robust the material might be, it needs maintenance! Therefore, do ensure that you read through the pro tips to keep your circular blades sharp and functioning.