FAQs: Friction Saw Blades
Q. What is friction cutting?
In friction cutting, a very high-speed circular blade containing a flat toothed edge imparts heat through friction at the very small tangential point of contact faster than the product can absorb heat. When the force of friction created by the rubbing of the teeth exceeds the strength of the heated material, a chip is torn away and the process is repeated on a continuous basis.
Q. What is hot saw cutting?
Hot sawing is friction cutting while the work piece is red-hot (i.e. 1600 Deg. F to 2000 Deg F). Hot sawing is a much less severe application than cold sawing and requires only a fraction of the energy required to cut cold. As the point of contact heats up from the rubbing of the flat (land) of the tooth against the product, the force of friction tears away a small chip approximately .0001” in thickness.
Q. What are the cutting parameters for friction blades?
Because friction saws cut everything from thin sections to large billets, it is extremely difficult to set parameters based upon tons cut.
Q. Are friction blades an economical metal cutting blade choice for an industrial business?
A well designed friction blade mounted on a well maintained sawing machine is the lowest cost (except for shearing) and highest tonnage cutting device used in the ferrous metals industry.
Q. How often should friction blades be changed?
For maximum blade life (or minimum blade cost) we recommend changing the blade at the end of one high production shift; or two at the most. The reason is that fatigue cracking is likely to lead to critical saw failure if pushed beyond these limits. On light duty cutting, it may be possible to run the blade much longer. Changing the blade after one (1) high production shift, or two (2) shifts at the extreme, permits the fatigued metal in the gullets to be removed in resharpening before cracking is initiated. This permits complete blade utilization and the attainment of the maximum tonnage cut at the lowest cost.