Metal swarf

Metal swarf, also known as chips or by other process-specific names (such as turnings, filings, or shavings), are pieces of metal that are the debris or waste resulting from machining or similar subtractive (material-removing) manufacturing processes. Metal swarf can be small particles (such as the gritty swarf from grinding metal) or long, stringy tendrils (such as the springy chips from turning tough metals).