Separates chips (9)
I believe the answer is:
splinters
I believe this clue is a double definition.
'separates' is the first definition.
(splintering is a kind of separating)
'chips' is the second definition.
(I know this)
(Other definitions for splinters that I've seen before include "Sharp frogments of wood" , "first-aiders?" , "Chips" .)