An Experimental Study of Influence of Process Parameters on Kerf Properties of Abrasive Water Jet Machined Carbon Fibre Reinforced Polymer

Abstract

Abrasive water jet machining is an emerging technology for composite material processing. The machining of carbon fibre reinforced polymer by conventional means is difficult due to excessive tool wear, delamination and improper kerf properties. This paper presents experimental study of influence of process parameters on kerf top width of abrasive water jet machined carbon fibre reinforced polymer. The process parameters namely water pressure, stand-off distance, traverse rate, and abrasive mass flow rate are considered in the present work. Taguchi's design of experiment and analysis of variance are used to investigate the effect of process parameters on kerf top width. It is observed that stand-off distance and traverse rate are most significant parameters in influencing the kerf top width. A set of optimum process parameters is identified on the basis of analysis of the experimental data. A regression model is developed using multi-linear regression approach on the basis of experimental analysis. Results of the present work are successfully compared with the published literature.