What are burrs in machining?

Burrs in machining refer to the sharp bits of material that remain on the edges or surfaces of a machined part after the cutting process. These tiny, unwanted projections are often caused by the cutting action of tools or by the stress on the materials being cut. They can form on various types of materials and typically arise from techniques like milling, drilling, or turning.

Identifying burrs is important because they can affect the functionality of the part, leading to issues such as improper fit, wear, or damage during movement or assembly. In many cases, additional processes, like deburring, are employed to remove these burrs to ensure smoother finishes and safer handling.

The other options do not accurately describe burrs. Pieces of scrap metal refer to unwanted leftover material that typically is not the same as burrs, which are specifically small, sharp protrusions. Machined components are the finished products resulting from machining operations, and cutting tools are the devices used to perform the machining, not the byproducts of that process.