Shearing Machine Blade

The Ultimate Guide to Selecting Shearing Machine Blades

Material Grade: The Foundation of Durability

Shearing Machine Blade Materials & Their Traits

• 9CrSi Alloy Tool Steel

• Traits: High hardness, good wear resistance, medium toughness, balanced performance, low cost, most widely used

• Hardness: HRC 58-60 (after heat treatment)

• Use for: Thin cold-rolled plate, galvanized plate, aluminum plate, copper plate; also plastic, leather, and other non-metals

• 6CrW2Si Alloy Tool Steel

• Traits: Has tungsten and silicon; stays hard at high temps (red hardness), stronger/harder than 9CrSi, better toughness, less likely to chip

• Hardness: HRC 60-62 (after heat treatment)

• Use for: Hot shearing, light stainless steel, medium-strength steel

• Cr12MoV / SKD11 High Carbon High Chromium Alloy Tool Steel

• Traits: Great wear resistance and hardenability, medium toughness, little deformation after heat treatment, long life, handles small impacts

• Hardness: HRC 58-60 (after heat treatment)

• Use for: All thicknesses of low-carbon steel, Q235, aluminum plate, copper plate, thin low-carbon steel

• H13 (4Cr5MoSiV1) Hot Work Die Steel

• Traits: Strong at high temps, tough, resists heat fatigue; stays hard and works well in high-heat environments, won’t soften or deform easily

• Hardness: HRC 50-55 (after heat treatment)

• Use for: Hot shearing strip steel, thick hot plates, cold shearing high-strength alloy steel, thick stainless steel

• D2 (American Standard)

• Traits: High carbon and chromium; much better wear resistance and hardenability than regular alloy steel, resists deformation, won’t chip easily

• Hardness: HRC 58-62 (after heat treatment)

• Use for: Medium/low hardness plates (Q195/Q235/45# steel/40Cr), aluminum/copper/brass/red copper; plastic, rubber, paper, fiberboard, composites

• LD (7Cr7Mo2V2Si) Cold Work Die Steel

• Traits: High-performance; strong and tough; vanadium (V) and molybdenum (Mo) make it dense, super strong, tough, wear-resistant, and hard to chip

• Hardness: HRC 58-62 (after heat treatment)

• Use for: High-strength steel, thick plates, stainless steel, hard-to-cut metals; large hydraulic shears, heavy CNC shears

Blade Material Selection Guide & Key Tips

How to Choose Blade Material

• Ordinary carbon steel (Q195, Q235, etc.): Choose 9CrSi or Cr12MoV. Low cost, good for basic shearing of all thicknesses.

• Medium/low hardness steel, aluminum, copper (45# steel, 40Cr, aluminum/copper/brass/red copper): Choose SKD11 or D2. Wear-resistant, resists deformation, long life.

• Light stainless steel, medium-strength steel: Choose SKD11 or D2. Balances wear resistance and chip resistance; stable performance.

• Thick stainless steel, high-strength alloy steel, hard-to-cut thick plates (cold shearing): Choose H13 or LD. Strong, tough, hard to chip.

• Hot shearing (strip steel, thick plates, high temps): Use H13 or H13K. Resists high-heat softening, handles heat fatigue and impacts well.

Key Tips for Blade Selection

• Harder is not better. Balance hardness and toughness: Too hard = easy to chip; too soft = easy to dull. Choose based on your material and cutting load.

• Heat treatment matters. Even good materials need professional quenching/tempering to work well (wear resistance, toughness).

• Sticky materials (stainless steel, titanium alloy, aluminum, copper): Choose Cr12MoV or SKD11. Prevents sticking and chipping; faster, better cuts.

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Blade Design: Match to Your Machine & Material

• Blade Thickness

• Thicker blades: Stable for heavy cutting

• Thinner blades: Good for precise cuts on thin sheets

• Cutting Angle

• Typically 1-3 degrees: Reduces cutting force, less material bending.

• Smaller angle: Best for soft materials (e.g., aluminum).

• Larger angle: Best for hard, high-strength steels.

• Edge Geometry

• Double-edged: Low cost (flip when one edge is dull).

• Single-edged: More precise for special cuts.

• Serrated: Prevents slippery materials (e.g., stainless steel) from sliding during cutting.

Maintenance Tips to Extend Blade Life

1. Keep blades clean: Remove metal shavings and dirt after each use. Prevents wear and rust.

2. Lubricate often: Use high-temperature lubricant on blade edges. Reduces friction, dulling, and heat buildup.

3. Sharpen when needed: Dull blades need more force, ruin materials, and strain machines. Sharpen when you see burrs, uneven cuts, or more force—use a professional service to keep the edge shape and HRC right.

4. Store properly: Keep blades in a dry, clean place when not in use. Use blade guards to protect the cutting edge from damage.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Wrong material grade: Using a low-HRC blade for hard materials = frequent dulling. Using a brittle high-HRC blade for soft materials = waste and chipping.

• Ignoring tolerances: Poor size accuracy leads to uneven cuts and rework—especially for precise jobs.

• Neglecting blade design: Using a blade with the wrong thickness or angle wears down the blade and machine.

• Skipping maintenance: Not cleaning, lubricating, or sharpening blades shortens their life and hurts cut quality.

Conclusion: Choose the Right Blade for Success