Measurement of Fine Grain Copper Surface Texture Created by Abrasive Water Jet Cutting

The paper presents results of experiments performed on copper with commercial purity to determine the influence of material grain size on both mechanical properties and texture of surface machined by abrasive water jet. An Equal Channel Angular Extrusion technology was used for creation of fine-grain copper samples. Hardness and grain size of fine-grain copper were measured, and, subsequently, surface of prepared copper samples was machined by abrasive water jet technology. Surface irregularities produced by the abrasive water jet were evaluated by means of surface profile roughness parameter Ra. It was found that the grain size of the material represents important factor affecting the final shape of surface topography in case of abrasive water jet machining.