The Handbook of Lapping and Polishing

The Handbook of Lapping and Polishing is the first book written in English to thoroughly cover lapping and polishing processes. Even though these processes are have a long history of applications, the literature has been largely empirical and there is little scientific research published on these important processes. Until recent scientific developments, details of applications were kept as proprietary information. In response to demands for technical information from industry, particularly the electronic industry, this book was written to show developments that transform the art of lapping and polishing into deterministic processes backed by mechanical and tribological sciences.

Chapter 2, "Fundamentals of Lapping",is an overview of the lapping process starting with the basics showing how stock removal is very different from other abrasive processes. Thoughout this book the editors have organized the latest knowledge from research in the United States, Japan, and Germany. Contributors come from both academia and industry with extensive experience in both the theoretical and practical applications. The emphasis upon chemical mechanical polishing(CMP) reflects the importance of applications in the electronics industry, which have fueled the rapid pace of both practical and theoretical knowlwege. Few people realize that advancements in computer technology rely heavily upon lapping, polishing, and chemomechanical polishing of computer components such as disk drives and computer chips. The book is an essential tool for any engineer or technician concerned with precision finishing of metal and nonmetal components.