Influence of Local Temperature Changes on the Material Microstructure in Abrasive Water Jet Machining (AWJM).

Sławomir Spadło,Irena M Hlaváčová,Damian Bańkowski,Piotr Młynarczyk

doi:10.3390/ma14185399

Sławomir Spadło, Irena M Hlaváčová + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/ma14185399

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Abstract

This article considers effects of local heat transfer taking place insteel cutting by abrasive water jet machining (AWJM). The influence of temperature changes during AWJM has not been investigated thoroughly. Most studies on AWJM suggest that thermal energy has little or no effect on the material cut. This study focused on the analysis of the material microstructure and indentation microhardness in the jet impact zone and the adjacent area. The structure features revealed through optical metallography and scanning microscopy suggest local temperature changes caused by the impact of the abrasive water jet against the workpiece surface. From the microscopic examinationand hardness tests, it is clear that, during the process, large amounts of energy were transferred locally. The mechanical stress produced by the water jet led to plastic deformation at and near the surface. This was accompanied by the generation and transfer of large amounts of heat resulting in a local rise in temperature to 450 °C or higher.

Highlights

The material separation through Abrasive Water Jet Machining (AWJM) occurs as a result of the continuous impact of the abrasive water jet against the workpiece surface
This research has shown that the heat generated by the abrasive water jet in the cutting zone affects the surface microstructure of steel
Changes in the material microstructure resulting from an increase in temperature in the jet impact zone are dependent on the power density of the jet, i.e., parameters of the AWJM process

Summary

Introduction

This technology was developed in the 1970s, but it was in the. From a physical point of view, the process involves the transfer of a great amount of mechanical energy accumulated in the pump to the workpiece in order to perform the required machining, often cutting operations [3]. AWJM is a complex process because of the co-occurrence of hydrodynamic and micromachining phenomena [9], with the latter involving the action of mechanical forces [10]

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Conclusion