Abrasives

Abstract

The main task of the abrasive grits is to conduct material removal that arises from chip formation, surface shattering, or pressure softening. In most applications, the grits have to be harder than the machined workpiece material. Moreover, abrasive grits need a high toughness and thermal and chemical resistance for a sustainable tool life.

Look at this small grit, this tiny grain, so small one must rub hundreds of them between finger and thumb to feel their sharpness. Insignificant little grits and easily slighted in our sophisticated technological world, but without this small fragment of abrasive, transformed, when viewed under a microscope, into jagged heroic blocks - without these small grits ours might still largely be an agricultural society and the conquest of space merely a dream. With these grits are grinding wheels made. [LEWI76, p. 3]