Which cut off wheel is used for stainless steel?

You need to cut stainless steel, but it’s much tougher than regular mild steel. Your standard disc overheats the metal, wears out incredibly fast, and leaves a messy, discolored edge.

For cutting stainless steel, you must use a thin abrasive cut-off wheel specifically labeled "For Stainless Steel" or "INOX." These wheels are made from aluminum oxide and are free of contaminants like iron, which prevents rust from forming on the cut edge.

As a manufacturer of abrasive tools at Reliable, we know that cutting stainless steel is a special task. It’s not like cutting regular carbon steel¹. Stainless steel’s properties, especially the chromium² that makes it "stainless," also make it harder and more difficult to work with. It generates more heat during cutting. The wrong wheel doesn’t just cut slowly; it can ruin the very properties that make stainless steel valuable. Choosing the correct disc is not about preference; it’s about chemistry and performance.

Can a cut-off wheel cut stainless steel?

You have a standard metal cut-off wheel in your toolbox. You see a stainless steel job and wonder if you can just use what you have. Using the wrong one could damage your expensive material.

Yes, but you absolutely must use the correct type of cut-off wheel. A standard wheel for steel will cut stainless steel poorly and, more importantly, it will contaminate the metal and cause it to rust.

This is one of the most critical points we teach our customers. The "stainless" quality of stainless steel comes from a high chromium content, which forms a passive, rust-proof layer³ on the surface. Standard cut-off wheels, made for carbon steel, often contain iron, sulfur, and chlorine in their abrasive or bonding material. When you cut, these contaminants get embedded into the hot edge of the stainless steel. This breaks down that protective chromium layer. The result? The cut edge⁴ will start to rust, completely defeating the purpose of using stainless steel in the first place. This is why we produce special INOX wheels. They are guaranteed to have less than 0.1% iron, sulfur, and chlorine, ensuring the cut remains "stainless."

Standard Metal Wheel vs. INOX Wheel

What type of grinder blade to cut stainless steel?

You’re shopping online and see terms like "blades," "discs," and "wheels." The different names are confusing, and you just want to make sure you buy the right item for your angle grinder.

For cutting stainless steel with an angle grinder, you technically need a "cut-off wheel" or "cutting disc," not a blade. Look for a thin, bonded abrasive wheel, about 1mm to 1.6mm thick, that is clearly marked "INOX" or "For Stainless Steel."

Let’s clear up the words. In the grinder world, a "blade" typically has teeth, like something for a circular saw. What we use on an angle grinder is a bonded abrasive "wheel" or "disc." For stainless steel, the thickness of this wheel is very important. We recommend and manufacture very thin wheels, often just 1.0mm thick (about 1/16 inch). A thinner wheel removes less material with each rotation. This creates less friction and less heat. Heat is the number one enemy when working with stainless steel. Too much heat causes that ugly blue or brown discoloration, known as heat tint⁵, which not only looks bad but can also weaken the corrosion resistance of the metal right next to the cut. A thin wheel gives you a faster, cleaner, and cooler cut every time.

What kind of grinding wheel for stainless steel?

Now you need to grind down a weld on a stainless steel frame, not just cut it. The thin cutting disc is the wrong tool for this, and using it would be very dangerous.

For grinding or shaping stainless steel, you need a thicker, purpose-built "grinding wheel" or a "flap disc." Both must be INOX-rated to prevent contamination. Flap discs are often preferred because they grind cooler and leave a better finish.

It’s a huge safety issue: never grind with the flat face of a thin cut-off wheel. It’s not designed for side pressure and can shatter. For grinding, you have two great options. The first is a traditional, thick (6-7mm) grinding wheel, sometimes called a Type 27 wheel. Make sure it’s an INOX version. The second, and often better, option is a flap disc⁶. Flap discs are made from overlapping squares of abrasive cloth arranged on a backing plate. In our factory, we’ve seen demand for flap discs grow because they have two big advantages for stainless steel. They are more flexible than a solid wheel, which helps them run much cooler. They also grind and finish at the same time, leaving a much smoother surface that requires less cleanup.

Grinding Wheel vs. Flap Disc for Stainless Steel

What is the best cutting disc for stainless steel?

You want top performance: a disc that cuts like a hot knife through butter, lasts for many cuts, and doesn’t break the bank. With so many choices, how do you identify the truly "best" one?

The best disc is a thin, INOX-rated cut-off wheel from a trusted factory that uses a high-quality aluminum oxide abrasive paired with a hard, durable bond. The key is finding the right balance between cutting speed and wheel life.

At Reliable, making the "best" disc is our daily challenge. "Best" is a mix of three things: how fast it cuts, how long it lasts, and how clean the cut is. Some very soft wheels cut extremely fast but wear down after just a few cuts. Some very hard wheels last a long time but cut slowly. The science we practice is in creating the perfect "bond"—the glue that holds the abrasive grains together. We formulate a bond that is hard enough to give the wheel a long life but also releases dull abrasive grains at the right moment to maintain a fast, sharp cut. Every disc we produce is checked by both machines and people to ensure this balance is perfect. When you buy from a certified factory like ours, you are buying that guarantee of performance and safety.

Conclusion

Always use a thin, INOX-rated wheel for cutting stainless steel to ensure a clean, fast cut and prevent future rust. For grinding, choose an INOX grinding wheel or flap disc.