In the polishing process, the abrasive particles are finely dispersed in a liquid medium or binder and are directed over the workpiece surface by a counterbody [KLOC05a, p. 404]. Therefore, the polishing tool is rather a paste or suspension of abrasive grits in a medium or binder [MARI04, p. 442].
In plate polishing processes, a binder retains the abrasive particles on the plate surface. The binder needs to fuse on light contact with the polishing plate and adhere well to the surface. The quality of the paste depends on fusion temperature and vaporization temperature of the binder. The greater the difference between these temperatures, the better the quality of the compound will be. [MARI04, p. 442]
Polishing processes can be classified according to abrasive grit size (fine or coarse) and counterpart (hard or soft) (Fig. 4.8) [KASA90]. Optical polishing of glass works with fine grit and a soft counterpart. This classification, however, does not give an indication of the active mechanisms for material removal [HAMB01, p. 6]. In general, an interaction of chemical and mechanical mechanisms achieves the material removal [KLOC05a, p. 404].
Polishing of steel with diamond grits in a water-alcohol suspension can be explained by the local loads between polishing grits and workpiece which can lead to plastic deformation of the steel [DAMB05, p. 125]. Due to the high thermal conductivity of the diamond grits, heat effects and chemical reactions are unlikely [DAMB05, p. 126]. Material removal takes place because of micro plowing and micro chipping [DAMB05, p. 126].