What common term describes the material that accumulates along the edge of a cut in metal?

The term that best describes the material that accumulates along the edge of a cut in metal is "kerf." Kerf refers specifically to the groove or material removal left by a cutting tool, such as a saw or laser, during the cutting process. It indicates the width of the cut and represents the material that has been removed from the workpiece.

Understanding kerf is essential for metalworking and machining because it affects the final dimensions of the cut and the overall quality of the finished product. When fabricating or assembling components, knowing the kerf can help in planning the machining operations more accurately to ensure that parts fit together correctly.

In contrast, the other terms like fillet, skim, and crown do not specifically refer to the accumulation of material at the edge of a cut. A fillet generally refers to a rounded corner or edge, skim can relate to a thin layer or slice of material, and crown often describes the rounded top surface of an object or structure. Thus, kerf is the precise term used in this context for describing the material associated with metal cutting.