Swarf, also known as
chips or by other process-specific names (such as
turnings,
filings, or
shavings), is pieces of metal, wood, or plastic that are the debris or waste resulting from
machining,
woodworking, or similar subtractive (material-removing) manufacturing processes. Swarf or chips can be small particles (such as the gritty swarf from
grinding metal or the
sawdust from sawing or
sanding wood); long, stringy tendrils (such as the springy chips from
turning tough metals, or long shavings from
whittling);
slag-like waste (such as is produced within pipe during
pipefitting work); or
stone fragments and dust (as in
masonry).