Observation of cryogenically cooled ice particles inside the high-speed water jet

Abstract

The Ice abrasive water jet technology uses cryogenically cooled ice particles instead of the mineral abrasive used in the Abrasive water jet technology. The aim is to avoid contamination of workpieces with mineral abrasives and to reduce the environmental impact of this technology. The ice particles are sucked into a high-speed water jet with speeds of up to 600 mxs-1 using the Venturi effect. Direct observation of the process is very difficult due to the extreme operating conditions. We have clearly shown that at least some of the ice particles, which have cryogenic temperatures when entering the high-speed water jet, neither completely melt nor are completely crushed in contact with the jet. Further on, the erosion capability of ice particles was evaluated by blasting the aluminium and glass surfaces at two impinging angles and compared to garnet mineral abrasive, showing that ice particles have the potential to generate similar damage in the workpiece material as garnet. These findings pave the way for exploring the potential of abrasive waterjet technology in a wide range of new applications, such as food processing, medical implant and turbine blade manufacturing, and post-processing of parts manufactured with additive manufacturing technologies.