What are tank cutters made of?
What are tank cutters made of? |
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The cutting components of a tank cutter (the pilot drill and the cutting blade) are usually made out of either hardened carbon steel or high speed steel. | |||
Hardened steel |
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Hardened steel is a type of steel that has been tempered and then quenched in water to improve its advantageous properties of hardness and strength. | |||
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AdvantagesHardened steel blades are very strong. As a result, they are more durable and are better able to resist wear compared with tools made of standard steel. |
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Hardened steel is resistant to both rust and corrosion. | |||
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DisadvantagesAlthough blades made out of hardened steel are very strong as a result of the tempering and quenching processes, the hardening procedure can sometimes make the material brittle. |
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High speed steel |
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High speed steel is a material that has been developed specifically for tools that cut at high speeds.
For this reason, it is commonly used to make cutting tools such as drill bits, reamers and blades. |
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AdvantagesHigh speed steel is a very tough material and has excellent wear resistance. The sharpened edge of HSS blades will last longer than those made out hardened steel. |
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Compared with hardened steel, high speed steel has added alloying elements which harden and strengthen the material and make it resistant to heat.
Cutting tools, including the blades of tank cutters, must be able to withstand the high temperatures caused by friction during use. |
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DisadvantagesAlthough tools made of high speed steel will have a longer life, they tend to be more expensive. |
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