Waterjet cutting is a versatile and powerful technology that uses high-pressure water to cut through a wide range of materials, including metals, stone, glass, and ceramics. In this article, we’ll explore the mechanics behind waterjet cutting, its cutting capabilities, and how the addition of abrasives can enhance its performance even further.
How Waterjet Cutting Works
Waterjet cutting machines use high-pressure pumps to pressurize water and force it through a small nozzle, creating a thin, high-velocity stream of water. This water stream, which can reach speeds of several hundred meters per second, hits the target material and cuts through it. The water pressure used in this process can exceed 200 MPa (29,000 psi).
Materials Waterjet Cutting Can Handle
Waterjet cutting is capable of cutting through a wide variety of materials, including:
- Metals: stainless steel, aluminum, titanium, and more
- Stone: marble, granite, limestone, etc.
- Glass and ceramics
- Plastics and rubber
- Composite materials (e.g., carbon fiber and fiberglass reinforced plastics)
The cutting speed may vary depending on the material’s hardness and thickness, but waterjet cutting can easily handle metal and stone materials up to several inches thick.
Enhancing Cutting Power with Abrasives
By adding abrasives to the water stream, waterjet cutting can tackle even harder materials. This process, known as abrasive waterjet cutting, typically uses garnet abrasives mixed into the water. Abrasive waterjet cutting is suitable for cutting:
- Hardened metals, such as tool steel and heat-treated steel
- Ceramics and tiles
- Thick stone materials (over 1.5 inches)
- Advanced composites (e.g., aramid fiber reinforced plastics)
The combination of the abrasive’s hardness and the water stream’s velocity allows abrasive waterjet cutting to achieve extremely high cutting power.
Conclusion
Waterjet cutting is a remarkable technology that harnesses the power of high-pressure water to cut through a diverse range of materials, from metals to stone and ceramics. With the addition of abrasives, waterjet cutting can tackle even the toughest materials. As waterjet technology continues to advance, we can expect to see its application expand to even more diverse material processing tasks.
