Knowledge · Stone processing

Granite and stone processing.The stone decides the bond.

Hard granite, syenite and basalt need a soft bond that exposes new grit; abrasive sandstones and limestones need a hard one. Blocks are cut with diamond wire or a large-diameter blade, slabs with a bridge saw blade. Granite from different deposits often needs different formulations.

Updated: Prepared by: OnlyTools technology departmentReviewed by: Zbyszek Zięba5 answers · 5 articles coming soon

The key points in 30 seconds

  • Granite: hardness high, abrasiveness low to medium → soft bond.
  • Sandstone: abrasiveness very high → very hard bond and core protection.
  • Typical wire speed in granite: 25–30 m/s, beads Ø 10.5–11.5 mm.
  • A blade glazes on granite when the bond is too hard – the diamonds go blunt and no new ones are exposed.

Which diamond blade for granite?

A blade with a soft bond that wears and exposes new grit. For slabs – a bridge saw blade, for blocks – a large-diameter blade or diamond wire.

Why does a blade glaze on granite?

The bond is too hard for the stone: the diamonds go blunt, while the bond does not wear and does not expose new grains. The solution is a softer bond matched to the hardness of the stone.

Wire or blade for cutting blocks?

Wire cuts blocks of any size and works well at the quarry face. A large-diameter blade gives faster, repeatable cuts when squaring blocks in the plant.

Does granite from different deposits cut the same?

Often not. Mineral composition, grain size and quartz content vary between quarries, so the formulation is refined in a test on the specific stone.

Can large stone blades be retipped?

Yes – large-diameter blades are retipped by replacing the segments; logistics and timing are agreed individually, ideally with a spare set of blades so the saw does not stand idle.

Articles in “Stone processing”

  • Coming soon

    Granite blade – how to match the bond to the deposit

    Why granite from two quarries cuts differently.

    7 min read
  • Coming soon

    Diamond wire for granite – quarrying and block cutting

    Beads, coating, speed and wire tension.

    8 min read
  • Coming soon

    Blade glazing on granite – causes and solutions

    From diagnosis to a formulation change.

    6 min read
  • Coming soon

    Marble, limestone, sandstone – tool selection for soft and abrasive rocks

    Hardness and abrasiveness in practice.

    6 min read
  • Coming soon

    Retipping large stone blades

    How it works and when it pays off.

    5 min read

Online tools and related pages

Tools for graniteglazing simulation, stone table Diamond wireseries and length calculator Model example: granite+60% metres per blade For stone processorsbond matched to the deposit, large-blade retipping

Prepared by

OnlyTools technology department

This content is written by technologists who formulate bonds and press segments in our plant in Zagórze Śląskie, Poland. The figures are indicative – a technical advisor confirms the right selection.

Related categories

Problems and wear diagnosis Cutting costs and retipping Glossary

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