Definition - What does Abrasion mean?
Abrasion is the process of friction caused by:
- Wearing down
- Rubbing away
It can either be intentionally imposed in a controlled process or can be an undesirable effect of exposure to normal use and/or the elements.
Abrasion is extremely commonplace and extensively used in a large variety of industrial, domestic and technological applications.
Corrosionpedia explains Abrasion
The intensity of abrasion depends on:
- Material's hardness
- Velocity and mass of the moving particles
Corrosion abrasion is the wearing of a surface when it comes into contact with a corrosive or an abrasive material. Corroded parts show even wear, while abrasion causes uneven wear of a mechanical implement. Both abrasion and corrosion can be reduced by coating a surface with a resistant material.
The resistance of materials and structures to abrasion can be measured by a variety of test methods. These often use a specified abrasive or other controlled means of abrasion. Under the conditions of the test, the results can be reported or can be compared to items subjected to similar tests. One type of instrument used to measure abrasion rate is the abrasion scrub tester.
Apart from shaping and finishing, abrasion may also be used to prepare surfaces for application of paint or adhesive. An excessively smooth surface may prevent paint and adhesives from adhering as strongly as an irregular surface could allow.
The use of proper lubricants can help control abrasion in some instances. Some items can be covered with an abrasion-resistant material. Controlling the cause of abrasion is also sometimes an option.