Document Type
Thesis
Date of Award
5-31-1990
Degree Name
Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering - (M.S.)
Department
Mechanical and Industrial Engineering
First Advisor
E. S. Geskin
Second Advisor
Keith T. O'Brien
Third Advisor
R. S. Sodhi
Abstract
This study is concerned with the investigation of material erosion phenomena occurring in the abrasive waterjet (AWJ) cutting process.
A series of scratches were generated by the abrasive waterjet on the polished surface of aluminum samples. The tests were carried out at different traverse speeds, abrasive flow rates, diameters of sapphire nozzles, diameters of carbide tubes and initial abrasive particle sizes. Material volume loss in the erosion zone was measured directly or calculated by the use of the suggested mathematical models. An analysis of experimental results enabled us to introduce a new process criterion, particle distribution density, which determines the number of particles impinging per unit of length. The relationship between the material erosion rate and particle distribution density was studied and effect of different process conditions on these parameters was identified.
An optical microscope, and SEM, were used to investigate the topography of the erosion zone. The microhardness of erosion zone was also measured.
A study of the factors influencing the mixing of abrasive particles and the water was conducted for different abrasive flow rates, different diameters of sapphire nozzles, different diameters of carbide tubes and defferent initial abrasive particle sizes.
Recommended Citation
Hu, Fang, "Investigation of material erosion by abrasive water jet cutting" (1990). Theses. 2742.
https://digitalcommons.njit.edu/theses/2742
