Parametric Analysis on different metals by Abrasive Water jet Machining

Abrasive water jet machine (AWJM) is a non-conventional machining processes. This is process of removal of materials by impact erosion of high pressure (1500-4000 bars), high velocity of water and entrained high velocity of grit abrasives on a work piece. In recent years, researchers have explored a number of ways to improve the AWJM process performance by analyzing the different factors that affect the quality characteristics. The experimental and theoretical studies show that process performance can be improved considerably by proper selection of machining parameters. Different types of abrasives are used in abrasive water-jet machining like garnet, aluminum oxide, silica sand, silicon carbide etc. Ti-6Al-4V alloy was machined under varying traverse speeds abrasive water jet machining. In Abrasive Water jet cutting, orifice and focusing nozzle diameter undergo continuous change in their dimensions due to erosive nature of high velocity abrasive water jet. This particular phenomenon can affect the efficiency and quality of the process. The aim of work to study the influence of orifice and focusing nozzle diameter variation on the performance of abrasive water jets in cutting 6063-T6 aluminum alloy. The performance was assessed in terms of different parameters such as depth of cut, material removal rate, cutting efficiency. Experimental investigations were conducted to study the effect of using different chemicals on material removal rate (MRR), with varied standoff distances (SOD) and chemical concentration in abrasive water jet machining. The use of such chemicals on the taperness of drilled holes is also studied. Surface roughness (Ra) and kerf taper ratio characteristics of an abrasive water jet machined surfaces of glass/epoxy composite laminate were studied. Taguchi's design of experiments and analysis of variance were used to determine the effect of machining parameters on Ra and TR.