Lapping is process of machining by which a hard material is smoothened by the use of an abrasive. The abrasive is placed between two materials or between a holding material such as ceramic which holds the abrasive powder while the hard material is rubbed. For instance, a piece may be loaded with abrasive material and used to lap a hard material such as steel.
Common abrasives used are Aluminium Oxide, Silicon Carbide, Diamond, emery, etc. Lapping is used in wide variety of industrial applications and also in making lens and mirrors, where it is used to obtain finishes with fine dimensions. Lapping is also widely used in the semiconductor industry.
