abrasiivid

Abrasiivid are materials used to remove material from surfaces through abrasion, typically consisting of hard particles that cut, grind, or wear away the workpiece as they are moved across it. The grains are usually embedded in a binder on a backing to form either coated abrasives, such as sandpaper and abrasive belts, or bonded abrasives, such as grinding wheels and burrs. They can also be used as loose grains in blasting or vibratory finishing processes.

Most abrasiivid are either natural minerals or synthetic grains. Natural abrasives include garnet, emery, and corundum in its natural forms. Synthetic or manufactured grains include silicon carbide, aluminum oxide, boron carbide, diamond, and cubic boron nitride; each has different hardness, toughness, and friability that affect performance on metals, wood, stone, and ceramics.

Grain size, hardness, and friability, plus the binding medium and backing, influence cutting action and surface finish. Grains are categorized by grit size (coarse to fine); higher grit numbers indicate smaller grains and finer finishes. Abrasive tools include coated types (sandpaper, belts, discs) and bonded types (grinding wheels, milling segments), while loose abrasives are used in blasting or vibratory finishing.

Standards such as FEPA (European) and ANSI (North America) classify grit and grade and help specify compatibility with equipment. Safety considerations include dust generation and the need for appropriate personal protective equipment.