A Study of the Surface Integrity of Titanium Alloy Ti-6Al-4V in the Abrasive Water Jet Machining Process

The abrasive water jet (AWJ) cutting technique is one the most rapidly improving technological methods of cutting materials. In this cutting technique, a thin, high velocity water jet accelerates abrasive particles that are directed through an abrasive water jet nozzle at the material to be cut. Using the abrasive water jet machining process, this work investigated the effect of machining conditions, specially the cutting speed and the material thickness, on the integrity surface (including surface microstructure alterations and surface roughness) of work piece of the Titanium alloy Ti-6Al-4V. The GMT garnet was used as an abrasive material with 80 mesh. Surface integrity is defined as the inherent or enhanced condition of the surface produced in a machining or other surface generating operation. It is very important to examine the influence of cutting conditions on surface roughness and microstructure. Photographs of cut surfaces were analyzed and roughness parameters were measured in different locations across depth of cut. Differences between surface geometric structures and measured roughness parameter values obtained were presented and discussed.