ABRASIVE

Hard material for grinding or polishing metal, wood, glass, ceramic, plastic, or stone. Abrasive grains or powders appear in many forms. Mixed with other materials they are bonded into the grinding wheels and cutting tools used in machining operations. Abrasives coated on paper or cloth form polishing belts, wheels, and hand tools. In pastes or liquids, they are polishing or rubbing agents; abrasives are blended with solvents to produce the cleaning powders used in the home. In industrial uses, the abrasives action results in clean, smooth surfaces and achieves the fine cutting or grinding needed for precise dimensions.