Abstract
In this study, three kinds of granite were lapped and polished by loose abrasives. Different abrasives and different kinds of polishing plates were used. The material removal mechanism was investigated by tracing their morphological changes of granite surface during the successive lapping and polishing processes. The experimental results indicated that the material removal mechanism during the lapping and polishing with loose abrasives is a mechanical process and it is affected by the size of abrasive and the applied load. Smooth surface can be obtained through eliminating the pits remained by the grinding process. When the grit size was reduced to a critical value, further reduction of the grit size did not have any obvious effects on the increasing of glossiness even the polishing is prolonged. However, the material of the polishing plate may affect the glossiness.
