What machining method involves wearing away material using an abrasive?

The machining method that involves wearing away material using an abrasive is grinding. Grinding is a process where an abrasive wheel or belt, composed of hard particles, is used to remove material from the surface of a workpiece. This method is particularly effective for achieving a smooth finish, precise dimensions, and tighter tolerances on hard materials.

In the grinding process, the abrasives cut into the material, causing small chips to be removed with each pass. This set of cutting actions is crucial for refining the surface quality and enhancing dimensional accuracy, which are often necessary in industries requiring high precision.

While milling, turning, and drilling all involve cutting tools to remove material, they primarily rely on distinct geometries and the shearing action of cutting edges rather than the abrasive action characteristic of grinding. Milling utilizes rotating cutters to remove material, turning employs a rotating workpiece with a stationary cutting tool, and drilling incorporates a rotating tool to create cylindrical holes. Each of these methods serves unique applications and finishes but does not use abrasives in the same way that grinding does.