Flow structure and cutting capability of abrasive water injection jet

Experimental studies are conducted to clarify the relationship between the flow structure and the cutting capability of abrasive water injection jets (AWIJs). The water velocity is obtaind by the PIV method. It is shown that the water velocity decreases steeply with slight addition of abrasive. When the abrasive flow rate is relatively large, the water velocity is 0.25 to 0.35 times fo the theoretical velocity calculated by Bernoulli's equation. Cutting tests conducted with specimens of aluminum plate show the existence of the optimum abrasive-mass flow rate, which gives minimum taper of the cut and narrow initial damage zone.