Optimization of working parameters in case of aluminium alloy abrasive water jet cutting (AWJC)

Abstract

Aluminium alloys are increasingly important in the aeronautical industry, since they have low weight, good workability, good corrosion and wear resistance, etc. The AL-EN AW 2017A (T4) is such an aluminium alloy, used to manufacture various components of the aircrafts. Processing the alloy by various classical technologies leads to degradation of superficial surface, which is why new technologies are being proposed. The aim of this paper is to optimize the working parameters for abrasive water jet cutting of AL-EN AW 2017A (T4) aluminium alloy, so that to obtain good surface quality according to the ISO/WD/TC 44 N 1770 - 2010 standard (width of the processed surface at the jet input, width of the processed surface at the jet output, deviation from perpendicularity, inclination angle of the processed surface and surface roughness - being the parameters of interest) and economic efficiency.