MAXCUT STEALTH-12 OPERATOR’S MANUAL
MAXCUT INC.
Page 17 of 31
MADE IN U.S.A.
the hard substrates during the cutting operation. Even though diamond is the hardest
substance known to man, it does wear out or break down. New diamonds are exposed
as the metal bond wears away. Abrasive particles will wear down a metal bond faster
than hard, brittle particles.
6.2. MATERIAL FACTORS AFFECTING CHAIN LIFE
There are several material factors that affect the performance and life of diamond
segmented chain. Six major factors are summarized as follows:
6.2.1. Aggregate Hardness
– There are many different types of rocks used as
concrete aggregate. Some aggregates are very hard like flint and some are
very soft like limestone. A general rule is that the harder the aggregate, the
softer the segment bond that is needed. Another general rule is that the
harder the aggregate, the slower the chain will cut. A common way of
measuring aggregate hardness is the Moh’s Scratch Test.
MOH’S SCALE
HARDNESS CRITERIA
STANDARD
SCALE
HARDNESS CRITERIA
DIAMOND
CORUNDUM
TOPAZ
10
9
8
Very hard aggregates (flint, chert, some basalt, some
quartz, some trap rock)
QUARTZ
FELDSPAR
APATITE
7
6
5
Hard aggregates (some quartz, some granite, some
basalt, some river gravel, some trap rock)
Medium hard aggregates (some granite, some river rock)
FLUORITE
CALCITE
GYPSUM
TALC
4
3
2
1
Medium aggregates (dense limestone, sandstone,
dolomite, marble)
Medium soft aggregates (soft limestone)
6.2.2. Aggregate Size - As the rock size increases, cutting generally will be slower
and the chain life will decrease. Common U.S. aggregate sizes are sieved at
1-
1/2‖, 1‖, 3/4‖, and 3/8‖.
6.2.3. Size and Quantity of Reinforcing - Steel reinforcing critically affects diamond
chain life. Quantifying the amount of reinforcing can generally be divided into
two levels:
Heavy
• 5/8‖ (16 mm) diameter or larger with any center distance
• 1/2‖ (13 mm) diameter or larger with less than 4‖ (100 mm) center distance
• Pre-stressed cable/wire
Light
• 1/2‖ (13 mm) diameter with greater than 4‖ (100 mm) center distance
• 3/8‖ (10 mm), 1/4‖ (6 mm) or smaller diameter with any center distance
• Wire mesh
Steel reinforcing creates large impact forces on both the diamonds and the chain chassis,
reducing both the segment life and chain life. Generally, as the ratio of steel in the concrete
cross section increases, the performance and chain life are greatly reduced. When steel is
encountered while cutting, the feed force should be reduced.
