Rebabas

Rebabas is a term used in metalworking to describe burrs or flash—unwanted projections of material that remain on a workpiece after manufacturing processes such as cutting, drilling, milling, casting, or molding. The word is common in Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking contexts, where the plural rebabas is used; in English, the generic term is burr.

Rebabas can form on metal and plastic parts and may appear as external edge roughness, internal ridges along holes or cavities, or along seams and parting lines in castings and molded components. They vary in size and shape, from fine, hair-thin edges to thicker, curled projections.

Causes include tool geometry and wear, cutting speed and feed, deformation of the workpiece material, vibration or chatter during machining, and inadequate removal of material during the initial process. Left unchecked, rebabas can interfere with assembly, cause poor fit or sealing, create stress concentrators that reduce fatigue life, or pose safety hazards.

Deburring and control methods encompass a range of techniques. Manual deburring uses scrapers or files for precision work. Mechanical deburring includes vibratory finishing, tumbling, belt grinding, or brushing. Thermal deburring removes burrs by controlled burning or oxidation. Electrochemical deburring uses electrical currents to dissolve excess material. Ultrasonic deburring employs high-frequency vibrations, sometimes in conjunction with abrasive media. Chemical deburring relies on chemical reactions to soften and remove burrs.

Quality control typically involves measuring burr height or thickness and ensuring adherence to project tolerances or industry standards. Effective rebaba management is essential across industries such as automotive, aerospace, electronics, and consumer products to ensure proper fit, performance, and safety.