Steel Strip for Saw Blades

Why Saw Blades Demand Specific Steel

Saw blades combine cutting-edge, body-flexibility, fatigue and surface requirements. Band, circular and hand saw designs do not use identical acceptance criteria, so material selection must be validated with the finished-blade geometry and heat treatment.

The RFQ should define the blade type, grade or governing standard, delivery condition, target properties, dimensions, flatness, edge, surface, weld requirements and finished-blade validation method.

Recommended Grades

Grade	Carbon reference	Hardness reference	Typical candidate uses	Selection note
SK5	0.80-0.90	58-62 HRC	Band saws, hand saws	High-carbon option where hardness and flexibility must be balanced.
SK4	0.90-1.00	60-64 HRC	Circular saws, blade components	Higher-carbon alternative for applications with agreed hardness requirements.
SKS51	0.80-0.90 + W, Cr	60-63 HRC	Industrial wood saws, metal-cutting	Tungsten- and chromium-alloyed option for wear-sensitive applications.
75Cr1	0.70-0.80 + Cr	58-62 HRC	European-standard blade applications	Chromium-alloyed grade referenced in European specifications.

Typical Specifications for Saw Blade Strip

Parameter	Band Saw Blades	Circular Saw Blades	Hand/Hack Saw
Thickness	0.3 – 1.2mm	0.8 – 3.0mm	0.4 – 0.8mm
Width	10 – 80mm (body strip)	Custom blanks	12 – 32mm
Delivery Condition	Annealed or H&T	Annealed (pre-stamping)	Hardened & tempered
Surface Finish	Blue / Gold tempered	Bright / Polished	Blue tempered
Edge	Slit edge (for welding)	N/A (blanked)	Slit edge

How Microstructure Affects Blade Performance

For applicable high-carbon grades ordered in an annealed condition, carbide distribution may affect forming, tooth processing and later heat treatment. The microstructure requirement and inspection method should be agreed rather than assumed.

Tooth forming consistency: A spheroidized microstructure can support cleaner tooth setting and stamping than a continuous lamellar carbide network. Acceptance criteria should be matched to the forming process.
Heat treatment uniformity: Controlled carbide distribution in the starting material supports a more consistent hardening response. Required hardness variation should be specified and verified by the agreed test plan.
Fatigue performance: Carbide size and distribution can influence crack initiation. Finished-blade fatigue life must be validated in the customer's geometry, heat treatment and operating conditions.

Our Heat Treatment Capability

Some saw processes use hardened-and-tempered strip. If this condition is requested, define the required hardness, flatness, surface, test method and any later tooth treatment:

Blue tempered finish: 280-320°C temper. Standard for band saw blade bodies. Hardness 44-48 HRC with maximum fatigue resistance.
Gold tempered finish: 200-250°C temper. Higher hardness (50-54 HRC) for blades where tooth-tip hardness matters more than body flexibility.
Full hard: 58-64 HRC. For blades that will be locally tempered or used in rigid (non-flexing) applications.
Specified temper: State the target property range and acceptance method; feasibility is confirmed for the complete specification.

Quality Points for Saw Blade Buyers

Surface Cleanliness

No decarburization, no scale, no pitting. Clean surface is essential for electron-beam or laser welding of bi-metal blades, and for consistent heat treatment coloring.

Flatness & Camber

Maximum camber 3mm/m. Flatness within 5 I-units. Critical for circular saw blanks where any residual stress causes wobble and noise.

Thickness Consistency

State the within-coil thickness tolerance and measurement plan required for tooth grinding and finished blade geometry.

Supply Chain Advantages

Source or chemistry restrictions, when required by the governing specification
Required inspection certificate, chemistry, mechanical-property or metallographic scope
Trial quantity available (1-2 coils) before committing to volume
CIF delivery worldwide — experienced with saw blade factories in Turkey, India, Southeast Asia, Brazil
Required slit width, width tolerance, burr limit and edge condition

Which grade for your saw blade?
Tell us the blade type, governing specification, dimensions, condition, target properties, quantity and destination. We will review candidates and confirm what can be quoted.

Get Saw Blade Steel Quote