Optimization of Process Parameters in Abrasive Water Jet Machining/Cutting (AWJM) of Nickel Alloy using Traditional Analysis to Minimize Kerf Taper Angle

Abrasive water jet machining (AWJM) has found its application in the manufacturing industries for machining hard materials with precision. A degree of high precision in machining of complex geometries makes AWJM valuable. The selection of optimum process parameters is important to the resulting quality of machined parts. In this study, an experimental investigation was conducted to evaluate the machinability of Inconel 600. A response surface methodology (RSM) is used to determine the influence of the AWJM process parameters on the considered performance characteristics, i.e., kerf top width (KTW) and taper angle. The analysis of variance is performed to obtain the contribution and influence of each process parameter on the considered responses. The value of R-Squared obtained for KTW and taper angle using regression model is 0.97 and 0.96 respectively. The optimum setting of the parameters for single and multiple response characteristics are obtained using the desirability analysis of RSM. The results obtained using desirability analysis of RSM is validated by conducting the confirmation experiments. The experimental confirmatory values obtained for the considered performance parameters KTW and taper angle as 27.138 and 0.125 respectively. The corresponding value of error obtained as 0.383 and 0.013 respectively. Further, an optimum set is obtained with KTW as 27.461 mm and taper angle as 0.582° for multiple response optimisation.

Download Full-text

Experimental study of delamination and kerf geometry of carbon epoxy composite machined by abrasive water jet

Journal of Composite Materials ◽

10.1177/0021998316688950 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 51 (24) ◽

pp. 3373-3390 ◽

Cited By ~ 34

Author(s):

Ajit Dhanawade ◽

Shailendra Kumar

Keyword(s):

Mass Flow Rate ◽

Mass Flow ◽

Process Parameters ◽

Flow Rate ◽

Epoxy Composite ◽

Water Jet ◽

Hydraulic Pressure ◽

Abrasive Water Jet ◽

Abrasive Water Jet Machining ◽

Kerf Taper

The present article focuses on mechanism of delamination and kerf geometry in abrasive water jet machining of carbon epoxy composite. In the present study, four process parameters of abrasive water jet machining namely hydraulic pressure, traverse rate, stand-off distance, and abrasive mass flow rate are considered. The experiments are performed on the basis of response surface methodology as a statistical design of experiment approach. Delamination in machined samples is observed by using scanning electron microscope. Analysis of variance is performed in order to investigate the influence of process parameters on delamination, kerf taper ratio, and kerf top width. It is found that delamination decreases with increase in pressure and abrasive mass flow rate and decrease in stand-off distance and traverse rate. Kerf taper ratio decreases with increase in pressure and decrease in traverse rate and stand-off distance. Kerf top width decreases with decrease in stand-off distance and increase in traverse rate. Based on analysis, mathematical models are developed to predict the maximum delamination length, kerf taper ratio, and kerf top width. Further, a multi-response optimization is performed on the basis of desirability function to minimize delamination, kerf taper ratio, and kerf top width.

Download Full-text