- Cutting is best done with a diamond blade on a circular saw or angle grinder. A drop saw/mitre saw can also be used, provided the blade is large enough diameter to have the necessary cutting depth. A table saw can be used with caution – best for rip cutting/slitting. Dust extraction is recommended in all cases.
- Any diamond blade will cut, but the more prominent the diamond particles, the faster and easier the cut. Diamond electro plated blades cut best, but these are not as readily available.
- The thinner the blade the less dust is produced (eg 125mm angle grinder with ultra-thin turbo blade) Multi-material rescue type blades also work well – but are not as thin.
- Thin abrasive blades for steel cutting will also work but will wear down fairly quickly.
- Tungsten carbide tipped blades (made for wood or aluminium cutting) will cut initially, but dull off very quickly ruining the blade.
- PCD tipped blades (made for cutting fibre cement boards) will cut well, but care needs to be taken to prevent damage/chipping of the tips
- For SHS and RHS – mark a line all the way around the profile, then follow the line while cutting and turning the profile to give an accurate cut that will align when it breaks through.
- For CHS pipe – mark a line all the way around the pipe using a flexible straight edge eg flat strip of thin straight plastic or metal wrapped completely and align the overlap (black plastic fluming, or damp course plastic strip can be obtained from hardware stores). For smaller devices it is necessary to roll the pipe as you cut around it. A large concrete cutting saw can be used with minimal rotation (depending on the pipe and saw diameter)
- For cutting FRP mesh/grating
- For small jobs an angle grinder (see blade info above) can be used but more difficult to get a straight/square cut
- Circular saw (with suitable blade) and a clamped-on edge guide/fence or track saw
- Use dust extraction if possible, and a ground sheet can be used so as to leave the area clean.
- Use a dust mask when cutting. Use gloves when handling the FRP material – especially cut ends and edges.
- Cut ends and edges need to be de-burred with coarse sandpaper or sanding disc and can be polished with finer sandpaper or green scotchbrite pad.
- Wet cutting is a good option if suitable equipment is available. Do not apply water unless equipment is specifically made for it as it will cause damage, and possibly pose severe electrical safety risk.
Cutting of FRP composite material
by
Tags:
Leave a Reply