Cutting of aluminium alloy with abrasive water jet and cryogenic assisted abrasive water jet: A comparative study of the surface integrity approach

Abstract

Cryogenic assisted machining is a recent machining technique, which is used for producing definite components with a satisfactory surface condition. In the present work, surface integrity studies have been carried out on the abrasive water jet (AWJ), and cryogenic assisted abrasive water jet (CAAWJ) cutting of AA5083-H32 aluminium alloy by varying the jet impingement angles and abrasive mesh sizes. Micrographs, surface morphology, 3D surface topography, 2D roughness profile, XRD peak analysis, surface residual stress and micro-hardness have been characterized in the AWJ, and CAAWJ cut surfaces. Of the two cutting conditions, the CAAWJ cutting process enhances the functional performance of the cut surfaces, leaving no traces of severe wear tracks, while obtaining a uniform roughness profile pattern, higher surface compressive residual stress and hardening. The results indicate the effect of variations in the jet impingement angles, and the abrasive mesh sizes contributing a satisfactory surface condition, existing in CAAWJ by the Liquid Nitrogen jet.