Study of effect on machinability by hybrid abrasive materials in AWJM

Abstract

Abrasive water jet machining (AWJM) is a unique, 'cold' machining process and has a high Material Removal Rate (MRR), implicitly zero Tool Wear Rate (TWR) and negligible Heat-Affected Zone (HAZ). The working principle of AWJM is material removal by abrasive wear. It employs a high-velocity jet of water mixed with abrasive materials that impinge on the workpiece through a nozzle. The kinetic energy of the abrasive particles gained by the high velocity of the water jet separates the undesired material from the workpiece. This paper aims to increase the efficiency of AWJM by using two different abrasives Garnet Sand Aluminium Oxide in different proportions and study the impact of hybrid abrasives on the cost of the process. The effect on the workpiece material was studied by keeping the following parameters as constant; Abrasive mass flow rate, Abrasive grain size, Velocity of abrasive particles and altering the following parameters; Mixing ratio, Pressure, SOD.