Description:

Key Features

Built for Non-Ferrous Cuts The Freud LU5A20 circular saw blade uses a triple chip grind tooth pattern and positive hook angle to stay controlled in aluminum and other non-ferrous material. That matters when you want cleaner edges and less rework on stock that can chip or grab with the wrong blade. Carbide with Stronger Bond Freud pairs carbide tips with Tri-Metal Brazing, which uses copper between layers of silver alloy for a stronger bond to the blade body. In plain terms, the tips are better equipped to handle impact and demanding production work. Runs Cooler, Stays Cleaner The Silver I.C.E. Coating helps reduce buildup on the blade surface and keeps heat down during long cutting sessions. Less buildup means more consistent performance and less time stopping to clean the blade.

Overview

The Freud LU5A20 16-9/16" (420 mm) Medium to Thick Aluminum & Non-Ferrous Blade with Mechanical Clamping is a 420 mm carbide-tipped circular saw blade built for cutting aluminum and other non-ferrous metals. This is a circular saw blade designed for cutting medium to thick aluminum and non-ferrous stock. Model Number LU5A20. If you run a saw that accepts a 420 mm blade with a 30 mm arbor, this blade is aimed at giving you cleaner cuts, steadier feed, and better durability in materials that can be rough on standard wood-cutting blades.

Freud sets this blade up with 96 teeth, a triple chip grind, and a 10 degree hook angle. That combination is well suited to non-ferrous cutting because it helps manage chip load and edge quality without getting overly aggressive. On the job, that means better control when cutting aluminum plate, solid sections, and similar material where a rough finish can slow down the next step.

The blade uses a 1/8" (3.5 mm) kerf and 1/8" (3 mm) plate, giving it a solid, production-oriented build for larger saw platforms. Freud also calls out Tri-Metal Brazing, which sandwiches copper between two layers of silver alloy to create a tougher bond between the carbide tip and blade body. That matters when the blade sees repeated starts, stops, and hard contact in shop or fabrication work, because tip retention is not the place you want compromises.

Another practical detail is Freud's Silver I.C.E. Coating. It is there to reduce buildup on the blade surface and help the blade run cooler and cleaner. With aluminum and non-ferrous cutting, material buildup can change the feel of the cut fast. Keeping the blade cleaner helps maintain cut quality and reduces the amount of time spent dealing with pitch, residue, and extra friction.

Freud lists this blade as ideal for cutting solid drawn products from 1/16" to 3/8" (2 to 10 mm) thick. That gives you a pretty clear target for where this blade belongs. It is not a general-purpose blade you throw on just because it fits. It is a purpose-built metal cutting blade for users who need repeatable results in medium to thicker non-ferrous work, including aluminum, brass, copper, plastic, and vinyl applications noted by the manufacturer.

Fit matters just as much as tooth geometry. The LU5A20 uses a 30 mm arbor and is intended for compatible circular saw equipment that accepts a 16-9/16" (420 mm) blade diameter. Before buying, that is the first check to make. If your saw is built around this blade size and arbor standard, you are looking at a blade designed for serious shop use rather than light trim work or handheld saw duty.

Who should buy it? This blade makes the most sense for metal fabricators, sign shops, millwork shops, cabinet and fixture builders, and anyone regularly cutting non-ferrous stock on a larger saw. If your work involves aluminum extrusions, brass stock, copper, vinyl profiles, or plastic material and you care about edge quality and blade life, the Freud LU5A20 is the kind of specialized blade that earns its keep fast.

Made for Production Cutting in Aluminum

This blade is built for users who are not guessing their way through non-ferrous cutting. The tooth pattern and hook angle are selected to keep the cut controlled in aluminum and similar materials where finish quality matters.

• Triple chip grind helps support cleaner cuts in aluminum and non-ferrous metals
• 96-tooth layout is suited to smooth, controlled cutting on a 16-9/16" (420 mm) blade

Handles Material That Punishes the Wrong Blade

Aluminum and other non-ferrous materials can load up a blade quickly and punish tooth tips if the blade is not built for the job. Freud addresses that with carbide tips, a stronger brazing process, and a coating that helps the blade stay cleaner through repeated cuts.

• Tri-Metal Brazing is designed to create a stronger, more impact-resistant bond
• Silver I.C.E. Coating helps reduce buildup and heat during extended cutting

Good Fit for More Than Aluminum Alone

Even though aluminum is the headline use, this blade is part of a broader non-ferrous cutting category. That gives it value in shops that move between different metals and man-made materials instead of dedicating every machine to a single stock type.

• Manufacturer-listed applications include aluminum, brass, copper, plastic, and vinyl
• Ideal for solid drawn products between 1/16" and 3/8" (2 and 10 mm) thick

At a Glance

16-9/16" (420 mm) Blade Diameter 96T Tooth Count 1-3/16" (30 mm) Arbor Size 1/8" (3.5 mm) Kerf

What's in the Box

• (1) Freud LU5A20 Aluminum & Non-Ferrous Saw Blade

Key Specifications

Compatibility

Saw Arbor Designed for saws that accept a 30 mm arbor blade. Blade Size Requires a machine built for a 420 mm circular saw blade. Compatible Devices Listed for use with compatible circular saw equipment.

Built For

Metalworking Fabrication Shops Aluminum Cutting Non-Ferrous Metals Plastic Cutting Vinyl Profiles Cabinet & Fixture Work Production Saw Stations

Pro Tip

If your work is mostly solid non-ferrous stock, keep this blade in the 1/16" to 3/8" (2 to 10 mm) range Freud calls out for best results. That is where the LU5A20 is meant to live, and staying in that lane is how you get the cut quality this blade is built for.

Tool Nut's Take

Tool Nut's Take

Freud LU5A20 16-9/16" (420 mm) Medium to Thick Aluminum & Non-Ferrous Blade with Mechanical Clamping is a specialty blade that does specialty work right

If you cut aluminum and non-ferrous stock on a machine that takes this size, this is the kind of blade you buy once for the right job instead of fighting a general-purpose blade every day.

• Who it's for: Shops and trades cutting aluminum, brass, copper, vinyl, or plastic on compatible 16-9/16" (420 mm) saws.
• Why it stands out: The 96-tooth triple chip grind setup, Tri-Metal Brazing, and Silver I.C.E. Coating are all aimed at cleaner cuts and better durability in non-ferrous material.
• Worth knowing: This is not a one-size-fits-all blade. Check your blade diameter and 30 mm arbor first, because this is clearly built for a specific class of saw and a specific type of work.

Common Questions

• What materials is this blade designed to cut? Freud lists aluminum and non-ferrous materials, with manufacturer-noted applications including brass, copper, plastic, and vinyl.
• What arbor size does it use? The arbor size is 1-3/16" (30 mm).
• How many teeth does the blade have? This blade has 96 teeth.
• What material thickness range is it intended for? Freud states it is ideal for solid drawn products between 1/16" and 3/8" (2 and 10 mm) thick.