Improving the cutting performance in abrasive waterjet machining of layered composites

A common defective phenomenon in abrasive watejet (AWJ) cutting of layered composite materials is delamination which occurs only when the jet is unable to cut through the workpiece. It is therefore essential to predict the depth of penetration in order to achieve through cuts and to eliminate delimination. A mathematical model is presented in this paper which can estimate the depth of jet penetration for AWJ cutting of layered composites. The effect of jet forward angle on the cutting performance is also studied. It shows that the optimum jet forward angle for the material under consideration is about 80 degrees which marginally improves the depth of jet penetration as compared with 90 degrees orthogonal cutting.