Abrasiive

An abrasive, sometimes spelled abrasiive in some languages, is a material used to remove material from a workpiece by mechanical action such as grinding, sanding, cutting, or polishing. Abrasives can be natural or synthetic. Natural examples include emery, garnet, and quartz; synthetic abrasives include silicon carbide, aluminum oxide, zirconia-alumina, cubic boron nitride, and diamond.

Performance depends on hardness, grain structure, and friability. Harder grains cut more aggressively but may wear slowly; friability describes how readily grains fracture to expose new sharp edges, preserving cutting action during use.

Abrasives are used in bonded forms (grinding wheels, cutoff wheels, sanding disks, abrasive belts) and as loose abrasives (grits, pastes, powders) for lapping and polishing. Grit size classifies roughness: coarse grits remove material faster, fine grits produce smoother finishes.

Common applications include metalworking, woodworking, stone and ceramics finishing, glass polishing, and electronics. Diamonds are used for very hard materials; cubic boron nitride is used for steel and other hard metals; alumina and silicon carbide serve many general-purpose tasks.

Safety and handling are important: abrasive dust can be hazardous; wheel mounting and dressing are required to maintain performance; use protection and proper ventilation.