Evaluation of the surface profile obtained by abrasive jet machining

Abstract

The abrasive jet machining is a machining method based on the effects generated by the action of the abrasive particles sent to the workpiece surface to be machined by means of a high pressure gas jet. Essentially, the obtained surface could be considered as constituted by chaining microcraters resulted as a consequence of the abrasive particles action. Taking into consideration the possible influence exerted by some abrasive jet machining process input factors, an experimental research was developed. By mathematical processing of the experimental results, empirical mathematical models were determined to highlight the influence exerted by the average dimension of the abrasive particles, the distance between the nozzle and the flat surface of the test piece and the impact angle on the surface roughness parameter Rz. In order to evaluate the similarities between distinct zones of the machined surface profile, the value of the Pearson’s coefficient was also determined.