The material removal mechanisms of one-phase brittle materials during grinding are largely understood. In contrast, the material removal mechanisms of two-phase brittle materials are just known rudimentary hindering the prediction of the workpiece surface characteristics resulting from a grinding process. Hence, in this work, the material removal mechanisms of two-phase brittle materials are analyzed by means of single grain cutting tests using the examples of cemented carbides and ceramic matrix composites. In a first step, the structure and properties of the materials investigated within the frame of this work are described. Then, surface phenomena evolving in single grain cutting tests are identified and characterized for both materials. Finally, models describing and explaining the underlying material removal mechanisms are presented considering the different structure of cemented carbides and ceramic matrix composites.