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Swarf, also known aschips or by other process-specific names (such asturnings,filings, orshavings), are pieces of metal, wood, or plastic that are the debris or waste resulting frommachining,woodworking, or similar subtractive (material-removing)manufacturing processes. Swarf can be smallparticles (such as the gritty swarf fromgrinding metal or thesawdust from sawing orsanding wood); long, stringy tendrils (such as the springy chips fromturning tough metals, or long shavings fromwhittling);slag-like waste (such as is produced within pipe duringpipefitting work); orstone fragments anddust (as inmasonry).[1]
Some of these terms aremass nouns (such asswarf andsawdust) and some of them arecount nouns (such aschips,filings, orshavings).
Wood swarf is discussed atsawdust.
Chips can be extremely sharp and they can cause seriousinjuries if not handled correctly. It is not uncommon for chips flying off thecutter to be ejected with great force and to fly several yards.
Due to its highsurface area, swarf composed of some reactive metals can be highly flammable. Swarf may alsospontaneously combust, especially if the swarf is coated withcutting oil.[2] To extinguish swarf fires, a specialfire extinguisher is needed, designed for fightingClass D (metal) fires.
When machining withoutcoolant, swarf is usually very hot and can easily burn the machine operator. Machinists typically wear long pants, eye protection and other personal protective equipment for this reason.
Some engineering materials such asberyllium are hazardous when finely divided and appropriate measures should be taken to prevent exposure.
For ease of transport and handling, swarf may be compressed intobricks. Metal swarf can usually berecycled.
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