Submerged Cutting by Abrasive Suspension Jets

Abstract

A sheathed nozzle with ventilation for abrasive suspension jets (ASJs) is developed as a means of extending the effective standoff distance in submerged environments. Submerged cutting tests are conducted with aluminum specimens at the jetting pressure of 30 MPa and the water depth of 100 mm. The nozzle used in the cutting tests is a conical convergent nozzle followed by a straight passage designated focusing section. The diameter of the nozzle and the inner diameter of the sheath are 1 mm and 3 mm, respectively. Air is sucked into the sheath via a plastic tube with an inner diameter of 6 mm. The air flow rate is measured by a float type area flow meter attached to the end of the tube. The abrasive is garnet having a mesh designation of #100. It is showed that the submerged cutting depth of the sheathed nozzle with ventilation is comparable to the cutting depth of the ordinary nozzle in air. The sheathed ASJ nozzle with ventilation is useful for extending the effective standoff distance between the nozzle and the work-piece.