Buying guide
How to choose the right cutting disc for your angle grinder
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The right cutting disc cuts faster, puts less heat into the workpiece and works safely. The choice comes down to four steps: the material, the thickness, the diameter that matches your grinder and the quality line.
This guide is based on Tyrolit technical documentation and serves professionals and occasional users alike.
Key takeaways
- Choose the disc by material: on Tyrolit labels, blue means steel and 2in1, red stainless, orange non-ferrous metals, violet cast iron and green stone.
- Discs of 1.0–1.9 mm cut fast with minimal burr; discs of 2.0–3.0 mm are more stable and last longer.
- The maximum speed printed on the disc must be at least equal to the speed of the grinder.
- Never use a shape 41 or 42 cutting disc for side grinding.
Step one: the material you are cutting
The workpiece material decides the abrasive grain and the bond. Tyrolit colour-codes its labels by workpiece material.
2in1 discs are the practical choice for workshops that cut both carbon steel and stainless steel. For critical stainless work, however, keep separate discs that are used on stainless only.
| Material | Recommended Tyrolit disc | Label | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carbon steel: sheet, profiles, bar | Premium LONGLIFE, Standard or 2in1 | Blue | LONGLIFE: maximum service life, no deburring needed afterwards (according to Tyrolit) |
| Steel and stainless in the same workshop | 2in1 (Premium, Standard, Basic, ONE) | Blue | Designed for steel and stainless; Premium and Basic: chemical purity (according to Tyrolit) |
| Stainless steel (INOX) | INOX (Premium, Standard, Basic) | Red | Premium INOX: designed for corrosion- and acid-resistant steels, from 0.75 mm |
| Aluminium, copper, brass, bronze, titanium | Premium for non-ferrous metals | Orange | Specification that prevents the disc from clogging |
| Grey and nodular cast iron | Cerabond X or Premium for cast iron | Violet (Premium) | Premium hardness R (long life), P (universal), N (high aggressiveness) |
| Stone, floor and wall tiles, ceramics | Silicon carbide (Premium, Standard, Basic) | Green | For frequent concrete cutting: a diamond blade |
| Mixed materials, occasional use | Basic CUT-ALL | Check the label | Universal use, minimal burr |
See also: Abrasives for stainless steel
Disc thickness: thin or standard?
A thin disc removes less material, so it cuts faster, heats the workpiece less and leaves a smaller burr. A thicker disc copes better with the lateral loads of freehand work and lasts longer. Tyrolit recommends:
- 1.0–1.9 mm: fast cutting and minimal burr, for sheet, tubes and thin profiles.
- 2.0–3.0 mm: maximum stability and service life, for solid sections and site work; up to 3.5 mm in the Premium 2in1 range.
- 0.75 mm: the thinnest angle grinder option in the 2026 Tyrolit catalogue, available in the Premium INOX disc.
Support flange for large thin discs
For flat discs up to 2.0 mm thick in 178 or 230 mm, the Tyrolit 100 SFL support flange significantly increases lateral stability and guides the cut more precisely.
Disc diameter and grinder speed
Match the diameter to your grinder and the cutting depth. 115 and 125 mm discs fit small grinders, 150 mm discs mid-size machines, and 178 and 230 mm discs large two-handed grinders for heavy sections. The usual bore is 22.23 mm; 100 and 105 mm discs have a 16 mm bore.
The maximum speed printed on the disc must be equal to or higher than the speed of the grinder; the label of a 125 mm Tyrolit disc, for example, reads max. 12,250 rpm and 80 m/s. On a disc without standard markings, this check is impossible. Never fit a disc larger than the machine and its guard are designed for.
Before the first cut
Inspect the disc and its expiry date, printed as month/year, usually on the metal ring around the bore. Mount it between clean flanges of the same size, with the guard set so that sparks are directed away from your body, then let the machine run idle for at least one minute.
See also: Abrasive disc markings
Flat (shape 41) or depressed centre (shape 42)?
Shape 41 is the flat disc, the standard choice for straight cuts and maximum cutting depth. Shape 42 has a depressed centre, so the clamping nut sits below the disc face, which helps when you cut close to a surface.
Special versions: the 2in1 disc with deep-cut protection has a metal bush that prevents the centre ring from breaking; shape 28 cuts curves in workpieces up to 5 mm thick but cannot cut straight; the shape 27 CUT AND GRIND disc lets you cut and grind with one disc.
Never side-grind with a cutting disc
Tyrolit instructions are explicit: never side-grind with a shape 41 or 42 cutting disc. The disc is not built for lateral pressure and can break. For deburring, use a grinding disc or a flap disc.
See also: Cutting vs grinding vs flap disc
Tyrolit quality lines: from occasional use to production
Tyrolit organises its range into five quality lines. An occasional user does not need a production disc, while a workshop that cuts every day saves time through faster cuts and fewer disc changes.
| Line | Positioning (Tyrolit) | Best suited to |
|---|---|---|
| CERABOND X | Developed for the toughest materials and most demanding applications | Industry and professionals: heavy cutting in steel, stainless and cast iron |
| PREMIUM | Premium quality and performance on various materials | Daily professional use |
| STANDARD | A balance of quality and cost, reliable for everyday use | Workshops with a moderate workload |
| BASIC | Functional discs, the economical choice for industry | Routine jobs without special requirements |
| ONE | Starter offer for DIY enthusiasts and professionals; every ONE disc is 2in1 | Occasional and DIY use on steel and stainless |
Discs made to EN 12413 and protection against dust
When you cut stone, concrete or masonry, the dust from the material typically contains respirable crystalline silica, whatever the brand of disc. Directive (EU) 2017/2398 added “work involving exposure to respirable crystalline silica dust generated by a work process” to Annex I of Directive 2004/37/EC on carcinogens or mutagens at work and set a binding limit value of 0.1 mg/m³ (respirable fraction, 8-hour reference period).
Tyrolit requires a suitable extraction system to be fitted and used for all dry cutting and grinding. Wear safety glasses, a suitable respirator (FFP2 or FFP3), hearing protection and gloves, and ventilate enclosed spaces well. An unsuitable disc for the material can create excessive dust.
Tyrolit discs marked EN 12413 and oSa vs discs without standard markings
Tyrolit cutting discs are manufactured to EN 12413 and carry the maximum speed, expiry date, safety pictograms and the oSa mark on the label; Tyrolit is a founding member of oSa. Tyrolit safety documentation describes a final inspection to EN 12413 that includes a burst test. With an unmarked disc from no identifiable manufacturer, you can verify neither its maximum permitted speed nor its grain and bond type. A disc that bursts at operating speed is a serious injury risk.
Frequently asked questions
Which cutting disc should I use for stainless steel?
A disc marked INOX, with a red label, or a 2in1 disc. For thin sheet choose 1.0 mm or, in the Premium INOX line, 0.75 mm. Never use a disc on stainless that has already been used on carbon steel.
Which thickness is better, 1 mm or 2.5 mm?
A 1.0 mm disc cuts faster and leaves minimal burr, which makes it ideal for sheet and tubes. A 2.5 mm disc is more stable and lasts longer, for solid sections.
Can I use a cutting disc for grinding or deburring?
Not with shape 41 or 42 discs. Use a grinding disc or a flap disc; if you want one tool for both jobs, Tyrolit offers the shape 27 CUT AND GRIND disc.
Can I fit a 230 mm disc on a 125 mm angle grinder?
No. According to Tyrolit tables, at 80 m/s a 230 mm disc is limited to 6,640 rpm, far below the speed of a small grinder, and the guard would no longer cover the disc.
Which disc should I use for stone or tiles?
A silicon carbide disc with a green label. For frequent or deep cuts in concrete, a diamond blade is the better choice. Always use dust extraction and a respirator.
Find the right Tyrolit cutting disc
Galflex is an authorized Tyrolit distributor in Romania. Browse the Tyrolit cutting disc range or contact us for a recommendation tailored to your application.
See the Tyrolit cutting disc range · Contact us for an offer
Sources and documentation
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