Sawing

Sawing

Sawing is perhaps the oldest method of sectioning in the metallographic laboratory. The method is still used today as manual hacksawing, power hacksawing, or band haksawing. Surface damage with sawing is primarily mechanical deformation; usually relatively little damage results from frictional heat. Saw blades are generally made of hradened steel and are used to cut only materials softer than saw blade. Oil or water-soluble oil should be used as a cutting fluid to avoid premature wear of the saw teeth, as well as to minimize frictional heat, which may soften the saw teeth or alter the microstructure of the specimen below the cut surface.