Depressors of Hardness

substances facilitating the deformation and dispersion of solids. Depressors of hardness reduce the strength of a material subjected to mechanical effects through adsorption into the material’s surface from the environment (Rebinder’s effect). Such surfactants as polymeric organic substances and soluble inorganic electrolytes (silicates, phosphates, and chlorides) are used as depressors of hardness in various technological processes. Small quantities of depressors of hardness are added to rinsing fluids for drilling in rock and are also added to lubricating fluids and coolants in metal-cutting work. Depressors of hardness are used during pulverization, as well as when grinding and polishing articles made of high-strength materials.