The grinding mechanism is very complicated, and single abrasive grinding is an important means to study the grinding mechanism. In this paper, the basic theory of grinding is expounded from the abrasive grain shape and the grinding process. It is stated that scholars form the removal of materials, and grinding force to research the progress of single-grain experiments.Nextly,On the basis of simulation discussed the influence of grinding parameters on grinding force, grinding temperature and surface quality of workpiece.This paper is of great significance for revealing the mechanism of grinding processing.Finally,the experiments and simulations of single abrasive particles are summarized and prospected.