abrassiv

Abrassiv is a term used to describe materials designed to wear away surfaces through abrasion. Abrasives consist of hard particles that are capable of removing material from a workpiece by grinding, cutting, or polishing. They can be natural or synthetic and are typically used as discrete grains embedded in a bonding matrix, or applied as loose grains on a backing.

Abrasives are commonly categorized into bonded and coated types. Bonded abrasives include grinding wheels, segments, and mounted points, where abrasive grains are held together by a mineral, resin, metal, or ceramic bond. Coated abrasives include sandpapers, belts, discs, and sheets, where grains are mounted on a flexible backing. Loose abrasives are used in lapping, polishing, or tumbling processes.

Common abrasive materials include aluminum oxide, silicon carbide, and zirconia alumina, as well as more specialized options such as ceramic aluminum oxide, diamond, and cubic boron nitride. The choice depends on the workpiece material, required finish, and removal rate. Abrasives vary in grit size, hardness, and bonding; grit size is often expressed by FEPA or ANSI standards, with coarser grits for rapid material removal and finer grits for smoother finishes.

Applications span metalworking, woodworking, stone and ceramic processing, and electronics, encompassing tasks like grinding, deburring, sanding, and polishing. Performance is influenced by wheel or belt speed, workpiece hardness, feed rate, and proper dressing or conditioning of the abrasive surface.

Safety and standards are important in abrasive work. Dust control and personal protective equipment are essential, as are correct mounting, guarding, and wheel inspection. Standards from bodies such as FEPA, ISO, and ANSI guide material selection, testing, and use.