CD-RWs have a flat surface, painted with an aluminum alloy. This differers from normal CD's, as they have the information burned permanently into a layer on the surface and covered with a protective coating. In the "burning" process for at home users, media isn't stored by actually burning the disc like purchased CD's are, but instead by darkening areas of the disc. With CD-RW's, this will allow you to "re-burn" the CD.

This also explains the smaller shelf life of home-burned CD's compared to store bought CD's. I've read the data can be lost in less than 5 years in some cases!

http://computer.howstuffworks.com/cd-burner4.htm
http://www.ehow.com/how-does_4674617_cdrw-drive-work.html

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