Depth of Penetration Model in AWJ Cutting Process Considering the Effect of Frictional Drag of Kerf Wall on the Water-Jet Velocity

Abstract

Abstract Analytical modeling and experimental verification for the process are vital for selecting an optimum range of process parameters in abrasive water-jet (AWJ) cutting. Many numerical models for the prediction of depth of penetration in the AWJ machining process have been presented by various researchers in the past years. However, very little work that has been represented has taken into account the effect of kerf wall frictional drag on the AWJ velocity. The present paper aims to develop a modified mathematical model for penetration depth using a dimensional analysis approach. The kerf wall frictional drag coefficient has been included in the proposed model to explain the variation of particle velocity at a particular depth of penetration. The results predicted with the theoretical model are validated under various process parameters through the AWJ machining experiments. The predicted values of depth of penetration using the proposed model agree well with the experimental data.