Definition of Deburring

Deburring is the painstaking process that many metal manufaturers, workshops, and individual metal workers use to remove small bumps and sharp edges that are often the by-product of maching metal. Deburring is considered a finishing method, and will often help polish and completely smooth the surface of the work piece. When metal is created or machined by molding, casting, and other processes, often times their are sharp and rough edges and bumps on the metal. These are called burrs, and they are a natural part of the metal working. This is usually unacceptable to most manufacturers and users of metal, as many times clean and smooth surfaces are needed to decrease friction, increase light reflection, and improve other favorable qualities. When metal is created and shaped to its desired model, the little bumps, sharp edges, and other rough spots are known as burrs. The process of removing these burrs is called deburring. It is a very common practice by most metal manufacturers and is essential to creating a fine finish on a piece of metal.

Deburring Methods- Brush Removal

There are many ways to deburr a work piece, the most common being tumbling, sanding, and grinding. I would like to discuss another effective method for deburring metal, using brushes. Brush deburring can be done manually or automatically using machines. Depending on the stiffness, flexibility, and tensile strength of the bristles, this deburring process can be very efficient. The brushes can be made out of differnet material, depending on how fast or slow you want to go, or how tough or delicate the metal work piece is.

The most common material deburring brushes are made out of is steel. The amount/speed of the removal of burrs depends on the thickness of the bristles and/or the rotating speed of the brush. Nylon brushes are also used for deburring. These often are coated and imbedded with abrasive grains, such as silicon carbide. Rotating speed for this type of brush cannot exceed a certain point, otherwise the bristles are prone to melting. The last type of brush used for deburring are diamond coated bristle. By using natural or manufactured diamonds, this brush is suited for the strongest metal, and has a long life time.