Kerf geometry, kerf wall features, and cutting front characteristics of an Abrasive Waterjet (AWJ) machined Graphite/Epoxy (Gr/Ep) laminate were studied. A macroscopic analyses suggests that geometrical features associated with AWJ machining of Gr/Ep laminates are influenced by three macro regions along the cutting depth. The presence of these regions, including initial damage at jet entry, smooth cutting, and rough cutting near the jet exit, depends on the operating conditions. Design of experiments and analysis of variance were used to determine the effect of cutting parameters on kerf characteristics and to develop empirical models for kerf profile and features of the three distinct macroscopic regions. Cutting front analysis revealed that the mechanisms of material removal in AWJ machining of Gr/Ep do not change over the jet penetration depth. In general, high quality uniform cuts may be obtained by minimizing initial damage at the jet entry and by extending the smooth cutting region beyond the laminate thickness through the appropriate choice of cutting parameters.
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April 1996
Technical Papers
A Study of Kerf Characteristics in Abrasive Waterjet Machining of Graphite/Epoxy Composite
D. Arola,
D. Arola
Department of Mechanical Engineering, FU-10, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195
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M. Ramulu
M. Ramulu
Department of Mechanical Engineering, FU-10, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195
Search for other works by this author on:
D. Arola
Department of Mechanical Engineering, FU-10, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195
M. Ramulu
Department of Mechanical Engineering, FU-10, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195
J. Eng. Mater. Technol. Apr 1996, 118(2): 256-265 (10 pages)
Published Online: April 1, 1996
Article history
Received:
March 3, 1994
Revised:
March 19, 1995
Online:
November 27, 2007
Citation
Arola, D., and Ramulu, M. (April 1, 1996). "A Study of Kerf Characteristics in Abrasive Waterjet Machining of Graphite/Epoxy Composite." ASME. J. Eng. Mater. Technol. April 1996; 118(2): 256–265. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.2804897
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