Polishing compounds are chosen based on factors such as the rate at which they remove material as well as the surface quality they produce, both of which depend on particle size. Producers of commercial polishing compounds, such as Hastilite PO, Hastilite PO Ultra, and Cerrox 1663 advertise particle sizes based on measurements of their polishing compounds as manufactured. In practice, however, when the polishing compounds are prepared at working concentrations, they often suffer from poor particle size distribution stability. Particles are attracted to one another and form larger aggregates, which shifts and broadens the particle size distribution and can make it more difficult to keep the slurry particles suspended. Fast-settling slurries result in unnecessary material losses and fouled equipment and can prevent further slurry processing, such as filtration. In addition, the presence of larger particles has the potential to introduce scratches and toincrease workpiece roughness.

LLNL's Slurry Stabilization Method reduces particle agglomeration, thereby preserving the slurry manufacturer's as-manufactured particle size at working concentrations.