this work deals with the evaluation of ceramic fiber reinforced plastics as a grinding or polishing material. the plastics were manufactured by mixing continuous alumina fiber of definite diameters and thermosetting resin as a bond material. composites containing fibers of three different diameters ranging from 10 to 22 $mu$ m were used in the study. the performance of these composites was evaluated for surface finishing of hardened steel. bars of the composite were pressed against the rotating workpiece material s55c on a lathe. wear of the work and the composite and the surface finish of the work materials were investigated. the self-sharpening characteristic was confirmed and the chip removal process is explained. the most important factor affecting the rate of metal removal to tool wear loss is the average pressure. the fine surface is obtained with the fine fiber. the advantages of the alumina fiber reinforced plastics as a grinding tool are their toughness and flexural strength. they assure a practically fracture-free grinding operation. resin matrix composites reinforced with ceramic fibers are proposed as efficient tool materials for small stock removal. (author abstract) 3 refs