What is Abrasive?
Abrasive is any hard material that is used for grinding, smoothing, cutting, polishing, or cleaning any surface using friction.
Definition
Purpose
The purpose of abrasives is to modify or improve a surface by removing unwanted material, smoothing rough edges, shaping components, or preparing surfaces for finishing and coating applications.
For construction purposes, abrasives improve workmanship and quality. Such works as grinding of concrete, polishing of stone, removal of rust, cleaning of welded seams, and surface cleaning before application of painting or waterproofing system use abrasives. The choice of abrasive and grade depends on the hardness of the substrate and the volume of the material to be removed.
Abrasives are often incorporated into tools and products such as sandpaper, grinding wheels, cutting discs, blasting media, and polishing pads.
Examples of Use
- A contractor uses abrasive grinding discs to smooth uneven concrete floors before installing flooring materials.
- A steel fabricator applies abrasive blasting to remove rust and old coatings from structural steel before repainting.
- A stone installer uses abrasive polishing pads to create a smooth and finished surface on marble or granite countertops.
Related Terms
Notes
- Abrasives can be natural or synthetic, depending on the intended use.
- Examples of abrasive materials include sand, garnet, aluminum oxide, silicon carbide, and industrial diamond.
- How effective the abrasive will be is governed by hardness, grit size, the bond material holding it together, and application technique.
- Using the incorrect abrasive will likely lead to scratching surfaces or the failure of tools and other materials to cut efficiently.
- Safety equipment such as dust extraction, eye protection, and the correct technique is essential when using abrasive tools.
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