Abstract: There is provided a tool blade comprising a backing strip, binding material forming a binder layer, with discrete regions of binder layer formed as teeth along an edge of the backing strip, and abrasive particles bound to the backing strip by the binder layer, wherein each tooth is formed with a ductile region bonded to the backing strip, a crown and an intermediate region of thermal material disposed between the ductile region and the crown so as to absorb thermal expansion and contraction. The binding material powder is heated by laser beam to form a binder layer which binds the abrasive particles to the backing strip. The laser beam is used to form discrete regions of binder layer as teeth. The binding material is typically braze material.

Abstract: There is provided a method of making a tool blade, in which a backing strip is provided, binding material in powder form is cascaded onto the backing strip, abrasive particles are provided and the binding material powder is heated by laser beam to form a binder layer which binds the abrasive particles to the backing strip. The laser beam is used to form discrete regions of binder layer as teeth. The binding material is typically braze material. A blade made according to the method is also provided.

Abstract: There is provided a method of making a tool blade, in which a backing strip is provided, binding material in powder form is cascaded onto the backing strip, abrasive particles are provided and the binding material powder is heated by laser beam to form a binder layer which binds the abrasive particles to the backing strip. The laser beam is used to form discrete regions of binder layer as teeth. The binding material is typically braze material. A blade made according to the method is also provided.