chipping

Chipping is the process of removing material from a workpiece in the form of small fragments called chips. It is widely used in manufacturing to shape and finish components, and occurs in metalworking, woodworking, stone carving, and plastics processing. Chips vary in size, shape, and energy state depending on the operation and materials involved.

In machining, chips form when a cutting tool shears material away from a workpiece. The resulting chips can be continuous or discontinuous; serrated chips may appear with certain alloys or high strain rates. Chip formation depends on material properties, cutting speed, feed, depth of cut, and tool geometry. Chip control, using breakers and lubrication or coolant, helps manage heat and evacuate chips from the cut.

In woodworking and stone carving, chipping removes material to shape surfaces or create textures. Wood chips are often harvested for mulch, pulp, or fuel, while stone chips are used in aggregate products. In road construction, chip sealing applies a layer of asphalt and aggregate chips to seal and waterproof surfaces, giving the road additional grip and durability.

In sports, chipping refers to a short-distance stroke used to move a ball onto a green, most commonly in golf. The term can also appear in other contexts where small fragments are produced or applied, but it is most closely associated with material removal and finishing processes as described above.