abrasiva

Abrasiva is a term used to describe materials and products that remove material from a workpiece through friction and wear. In practice, an abrasive consists of hard particles (grains) bonded to a substrate to form a wheel, belt, disc, or pad. The abrasive action results from the interaction between the abrasive grains and the surface being worked, aided by a binder that holds the grains in place and, in some products, a lubricant or cooling agent.

Abrasive materials can be natural or synthetic. Natural abrasives include garnet and emery; synthetic conventional abrasives include aluminum oxide (alumina) and silicon carbide. For very hard materials or fine finishing, superabrasives such as diamond and cubic boron nitride are used. The grain type, grain size (grit), and hardness influence cutting action and surface finish.

Abrasives are manufactured as wheels, discs, belts, sheets, sticks, and pastes. Bonding systems include vitrified (ceramic), resin, metal, and hybrid bonds. Bond type, together with grain and grit, determines wheel strength and performance. Coarser grits remove material faster; finer grits produce smoother finishes.

Common applications include grinding, cutting, deburring, smoothing, and polishing of metal, wood, stone, glass, ceramics, and composites. In many industries the selection depends on material hardness, desired finish, and heat generation.

Handling requires dust control, respiratory protection, proper mounting, guarding, and regular inspection of abrasive products. Operators should dress wheels, avoid excessive speeds, and follow manufacturer specifications.