March 8, 2018 - In 1926, Krupp, a German company, developed carbide, a very hard mixture of sintered carbides of various heavy metals, especially tungsten carbide, used for cutting edges and dies. This new material revolutionized metal-removal or “chip-cutting” in manufacturing. In the 1950s, carbide was used in all machining processes except for sawing. Ref. Wikipedia, “Cemented Carbide History.”

In 1942, German scientists further developed carbide into cermet. After World War II, American universities developed this material further and began to market it as a cutting material for machine tools under the brand name Cermet. Ref. Wikipedia, “Cermet” history.

In the 1930’s, sawing non-ferrous material, such as aluminum, brass, plastic and wood with carbide tipped circular saw blades began. However, attempts to cut ferrous material with carbide tips failed because the existing saws lacked the speed, rigidity, and innovation required to transfer high force with low vibration. These attributes are all necessary for carbide sawing. Also, the existing tooth geometry with positive cutting angles caused cracking of the carbide tips which were harder and consequently, more brittle than the high-speed steel (HSS) circular blades. Ref. Wikipedia, “High Speed Steel (HSS)”.

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