abrasion

Abrasion is the process of wearing away a surface through friction, grinding, or rubbing. It is a common phenomenon where material is removed from a solid surface due to mechanical action, such as when two sliding surfaces interact under load. This can happen with everyday objects like coins or pencils, and even in industrial applications like grinding wheels or sandpapers.123

There are four main types of wear:
* Adhesive wear: Occurs due to strong adhesive forces between sliding surfaces, leading to material transfer and particle formation.2
* Abrasive wear: Happens when a hard surface scratches or grooves a softer one, or when loose abrasive particles get between surfaces.2
* Corrosive wear: Involves chemical attack on a surface that is continually exposed by sliding action.2
* Surface-fatigue wear: Results from repeated stress, typically in rolling motions like those in bearings.2

While often seen as damaging, abrasion is also utilized in manufacturing processes like filing, sanding, and polishing.23