Abrasives serve as the main medium for physical cutting. They are primarily used for preliminary workpiece leveling, scratch removal and deburring. Through tumbling friction of particles, abrasives uniformly eliminate CNC tool marks, fine belt scratches, edge burrs and surface oxide layers to reduce workpiece surface roughness. Meanwhile, abrasives separate workpieces from one another, preventing corner collapse, surface chipping and deformation caused by direct impact between parts. This ensures uniform tumbling force across all workpieces and consistent polishing results. Simply put, abrasives handle shaping, leveling and scratch removal and determine the overall flatness of workpieces.
Polishing compounds are water-free functional additives for fine brightening, surface cleaning and protection. The ultrafine powder inside polishing compounds fills micro scratches to refine surface texture and deliver uniform matte finishes. They also provide lubrication and cooling, lowering high heat generated by dry friction to stop soft workpieces such as aluminum, zinc and magnesium alloys from heat discoloration, paste adhesion and oxidation. In addition, polishing compounds absorb metal dust and clean workpiece surfaces to avoid pits and mottling caused by powder buildup, offering short-term protection against rust and discoloration. Polishing compounds take charge of brightening, surface protection, temperature control and surface cleaning.
Mass production process logic: Abrasives lay the foundation for surface leveling, and polishing compounds refine surface texture. Polishing only with abrasives (without polishing compounds) leads to dry, blackened workpieces with residual scratches. Using polishing compounds alone without abrasives delivers no cutting capacity and cannot remove tool marks or burrs. Proper proportioning of abrasives and polishing compounds achieves uniform, smooth and stable high-quality finishes via dry tumble polishing.
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