What is an Abrasive?
An abrasive is a material, often a mineral, that is used to shape or finish a work piece through rubbing which leads to part of the work piece being worn away. While finishing a material often means polishing it to gain a smooth, reflective surface, it can also involve roughening as in satin, matte or beaded finishes. Each individual grain removes material (gauges) on the surface it contacts. The cutting power of an abrasive grain is dependent on the shape, hardness, toughness and grain orientation.
