abrasive (විඛාදනීය/ උල්ලේඛී)

An abrasive, derived from the Latin term meaning ‘to scratch away,’ is a substance employed for cutting, polishing, or removing small amounts of the surface from hard materials. Abrasives play a crucial role in various industries and applications where precision and surface finish are essential. They are categorized into two types: natural abrasives and artificial abrasives. The hardness of abrasives is commonly measured using the Mohs scale, which assesses the relative hardness of minerals.

Natural Abrasives:

1. Quartz: Often used for its hardness and durability.
2. Sandstone: Comprised of sand-sized mineral, used for grinding and shaping.
3. Pumice: A light, porous rock formed during volcanic eruptions, utilized for polishing.
4. Diamond: Known for its extreme hardness, used for cutting and grinding hard materials.
5. Emery: A mixture of corundum and magnetite, employed for grinding and polishing.
6. Corundum: Naturally occurring aluminum oxide, used as an abrasive and in the production of synthetic abrasives.

Artificial Abrasives:

1. Rouge: A red polishing compound used for achieving a smooth finish.
2. Whiting: Composed of calcium carbonate, utilized for polishing and buffing.
3. Carborundum: A brand name for silicon carbide, a synthetic abrasive used for grinding and cutting.

The selection of abrasives depends on the specific application and the material being processed. The properties of abrasives, including hardness, shape, and size, influence their effectiveness in cutting, shaping, or polishing tasks. The use of abrasives is widespread in industries such as metalworking, woodworking, construction, and manufacturing, where precision and surface quality are paramount.