Interaction between metallurgical state and process parameters on AWJ kerf

Abrasive Water Jet (AWJ) is a well established manufacturing technique, able to achieve high machining accuracy. AWJ kerf properties are mainly described in terms of width, taper (conicity) and roughness. The aim of the present work is to evaluate the above mentioned accuracy indexes as a function of both process parameters and cut material properties. In particular, specimens of C45 EN 1083-2 carbon steel were tested under different metallurgical conditions. Normalized or quenched and tempered specimens were taken into account: different tempering temperatures were tested. Jet pressure, feed rate and abrasive mass flow rate were investigated as well. A factorial plan was designed to allow the evaluation of the interaction between material properties and process parameters.