Early entry blades are a contractor’s best friend for cutting concrete and aggregate. The right blade makes a huge difference. However, the wrong blade can cost you time and money—and even create problems down the line. Find out why early entry blades are so commonly used and how they help prevent concrete from cracking after pouring.

What Are Early Entry Blades?

Diamond early entry blades are designed for early sawing of contraction joints. This usually happens right after pouring concrete slabs. However, these blades also help reduce the risk of cracking in the poured concrete. Cracking concrete slabs can be a huge pain point for contractors. Early entry cuts can help reduce or eliminate these problems. The use of early entry blades allows contractors to pour concrete and cut in the same day.

Why Does Concrete Crack As It Sets?

Concrete begins to hydrate after pouring and then begins to set. As the concrete sets, it starts developing internal stress points. But it’s important to note that if these internal stress points are not addressed quickly, the concrete starts to crack. It does this on its own to relieve the stress. Unfortunately, these cracks are very random and lead to frustrating situations for contractors. However, using early entry cuts prevents this from happening by controlling where the cracks occur.

Here’s a quick idea of how this works:

  1. Contractors use an early entry blade to create control joints within a few hours of finishing.
  2. The concrete begins to set, and internal stress builds up.
  3. Uncut concrete begins to randomly crack to relieve stress.
  4. Cut concrete avoids random cracking and stress is relieved underneath the cuts.

By using early entry blades, contractors can cut joints in the green zone.  Usually, within the first few hours after finishing. Quickly making cuts prevents chipping and to control shrinkage cracking. With this, contractors create a stronger interlock and slab by providing a controlled area for cracking.

Early Entry Blade Aggregate Regions

There are different types of early entry blades for cutting various aggregates. The type of blade you choose depends on the material you’re cutting. There are region charts available that make it incredibly simple to select the type of blade you need.

  • Purple – Hard Aggregate: Purple zone blades work best for cutting hard aggregates. These types of blades are best for cutting flint and river rock aggregates.
  • Green – Medium/Hard Aggregate: Green zone blades cut medium-hard aggregates. They work best for cutting chert and river rock aggregates.
  • Orange – Medium Aggregate: Orange zone blades perform best on medium aggregate. These blades work best for trap rock, quartz, and hard granite aggregates.
  • Yellow – Medium/Soft Aggregate: Yellow zone blades work for both medium-soft and soft aggregate. Blades rated for this zone work well for cutting stones like granite, hard limestone, limestone aggregates, and quartz.

Need the Best Quality Diamond Blades? Choose CCB

When it comes to buying diamond blades online, you want the best quality possible. That’s why Cost Cutting Blades sells only the best quality blades at the best possible prices. We stand by all of our products and offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee for a reason. Additionally, we only sell blades that we’ve tested ourselves. If we wouldn’t use the blades ourselves, we won’t sell them.