Polishing is the process of creating a smooth and shiny surface by using rubbing or a chemical action, leaving a surface with significant specular reflection and minimal diffuse reflection. When the surface is magnified thousands of times, it usually looks like mountains and valleys. By repeated abrasion, those "mountains" are worn down until they are flat or just small "hills." The process of polishing starts with rough abrasives gradually moving to fine ones.
Also referred to as polishing is the application of a liquid that dries to a shiny finish, as in nail polish.
In metallography and metallurgy, polishing is used to create a flat, defect-free surface for examination of a metal's microstructure under a microscope. Silicon-based polishing pads or a diamond solution can be used in the polishing process.
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