Abrasiivide

Abrasiivide, or abrasives, are materials used to remove material from a workpiece through rubbing, grinding, slicing, or polishing. They rely on hardness, brittleness, and cutting action to fracture the surface and carry away material. Abrasives can be natural or synthetic and may be loose grains, powders, or bound or coated tools.

Natural abrasives include minerals such as garnet and emery, traditionally used for sharpening, grinding, and polishing. Synthetic abrasives cover a wide range of materials, with aluminum oxide and silicon carbide among the most common. Diamond and cubic boron nitride (CBN) are ultra-hard abrasives used for demanding finishing and precision grinding.

Forms and configurations vary by application. Bonded abrasives consist of abrasive grains held in a binder to form wheels, segments, or sticks, with bonds such as vitrified, resin, metal, or ceramic. Coated abrasives attach grains to flexible backings in products like sandpaper, sanding belts, and discs. Loose abrasives include polishing powders and abrasive suspensions used in lapping, honing, and slurry finishing.

Grit size, or grade, determines material removal rate and finish quality: coarser grits remove material quickly but leave rough surfaces, while finer grits yield smoother finishes. Selection depends on workpiece material, desired surface finish, and machine, with compatibility and heat generation carefully managed.

Safety and environmental considerations include dust control, personal protective equipment, wheel conditioning, and proper disposal. Abrasives are foundational in metalworking, woodworking, stone and glass processing, as well as specialized fields like electronics and dental finishing.