Blade Materials - Grades

Blade Material Types and Common Grades for Industrial Cutting

Choosing the right material is essential for optimal cutting performance, tool longevity, and process efficiency. At Snijer, we offer industrial blades manufactured from a range of premium steels and alloys, each selected based on the specific demands of the cutting application — such as wear resistance, toughness, corrosion resistance, and regrindability.

Below is an overview of the most commonly used materials and grades in industrial blade manufacturing:

High-Speed Steel (HSS)

HSS blades are particularly suited for applications requiring superior cutting performance and precision. They excel in the paper cutting, cardboard cutting, and plastic cutting operations, providing clean and accurate slicing, portioning, and filleting. They deliver consistent and precise cuts even under continuous production conditions. Their durable construction ensures long service life and reliable performance in demanding industrial environments.

M2 HSS is one of the most commonly used and best-balanced quality standards in the high-speed steel family. Thanks to its tungsten, molybdenum, chromium, vanadium, and carbon content, it offers high wear resistance, thermal durability, and edge retention, making it a preferred choice in industrial cutting tool applications.

M35 is a high-alloy type of high-speed steel (HSS) and is particularly preferred for industrial cutting tools due to its combination of high wear resistance and corrosion resistance. In addition to the basic structure of M2 HSS, M35 contains approximately 5% cobalt (Co); this increases performance under high-speed and demanding cutting conditions while maintaining temperature resistance and hardness.

Common Grades: M2 (1.3343), M35 (1.3243)

Advantages:

  - High wear resistance

  - Maintains sharpness over extended use

  - Suitable for demanding environments

Typical Uses: Paper cutting, plastic trimming

Tool Steel

Tool steel blades are engineered for applications demanding high wear resistance and toughness. They are widely used in rubber cutting, tire cutting, and metalworking applications, offering long-lasting, reliable performance when handling hard or dense materials. Tool steel blades also perform effectively in food processing and cardboard cutting operations, maintaining edge stability and durability even under heavy-duty and continuous use.

D2, a high-carbon, high-chromium steel, is particularly popular due to its excellent hardness and resistance to abrasive wear. A2 and O1 grades are widely used for applications where a higher toughness is required.

Common Grades: D2 (1.2379), A2 (1.2363), O1 (1.2510)

Advantages:

  - Good edge retention

  - Easy to resharpen

  - Cost-effective for medium-duty applications

Typical Uses: Metal slitting, plastic granulation, recycling blades

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel blades are particularly suitable for applications requiring hygiene and corrosion resistance. They are widely used in meat processing, food processing, seafood processing, medical applications and vegetable-fruit cutting, ensuring clean and safe cuts. Stainless steel blades also perform well in paper cutting and cardboard cutting operations, especially in environments with moisture or contact with protective liquids. Their easy-to-clean surfaces help maintain high hygiene standards while providing long-lasting performance.

Common Grades: 420 (1.4034), 440A (1.4116), 440C (1.4125)

Advantages:

  - Corrosion-resistant

  - Food-safe and hygienic

  - Good hardness in higher grades

Typical Uses: Food slicing, packaging, pharmaceutical cutting

Tungsten Carbide (Solid & Tipped)

Tungsten carbide blades are designed to handle extremely hard and abrasive materials. They provide exceptional hardness and long service life in film cutting, plastic cutting, and metalworking applications. In rubber cutting and cardboard cutting operations, tungsten carbide blades resist edge wear even under high-speed and continuous production conditions, making them ideal for heavy-duty industrial environments with demanding material characteristics. Available as solid carbide or brazed tips on steel bodies.

Tungsten carbide blades are manufactured in different grades according to the binder cobalt (Co) content; high Co content provides more durable and impact-resistant blades, while low Co content results in harder blades with higher cutting performance. This variety makes it easier to select the blade suitable for the application.

Advantages:

  - Superior wear resistance

  - Long tool life

  - Excellent for high-volume production

Typical Uses: Fiber cutting, abrasive materials, composites

Ceramic Blades

Ceramic blades offer exceptional hardness and long-lasting sharpness, making them ideal for precision applications. They are extensively used in food processing and vegetable-fruit cutting, preventing metal contamination and preserving product quality. Ceramic blades also excel in film cutting, plastic cutting, and cardboard cutting operations, delivering smooth and clean cuts for delicate materials. Highly resistant to corrosion and chemical exposure, ceramic blades maintain their edge over time with minimal maintenance. Not suitable for impact loads. Zirconia and alumina are widely used ceramic materials.

Advantages:

  - Non-conductive

  - Rust-proof and inert

  - Exceptional edge sharpness

Typical Uses: Medical, special composites, food processing, paper cutting

Need a Custom Grade or Coating?

Snijer can supply blades in specialty alloys or with advanced surface coatings (TiN, TiCN, DLC, PTFE, etc.) depending on your production requirements. Our technical team works closely with customers to recommend the best material and geometry for every cutting task. For tailored solutions and expert support, Contact us today to discuss your slitting blade requirements.

Industrial Blade Materials – Comparison Table

You can find a more comprehensive list of materials used in the production of knives here.