the abrasive polishing device has a carrier , typically in the form of a rotatable polishing head and abrasive polishing pads mounted on the carrier . each polishing pad includes an abrasive body which is provided by a thermoplastic polymer impregnated with ultrahard abrasive particles and which presents an abrasive polishing surface for performing an abrasive polishing action in use . the abrasive body is formed with a regular array of recesses , typically narrow capillarytype passages therein which extend to the abrasive surface . the recesses result in improved cooling of the abrasive layer during a polishing operation .