Cutting characteristics of titanium alloy by abrasive waterjet

摘要

Titanium (Ti 6Al 4V) was machined with various jet parametric combinations using design of experiments, to inspect the surface roughness, kerf taper, and change of removal mechanisms as a function of cutting depth. Stylus profilometry was used to measure the surface roughness and a visual inspection including Scanning Electron Microscopy was conducted. Response surface methodology was used to identify the optimum process conditions to satisfy the aerospace quality specifications. Mechanisms of material removal in titanium alloy are a product of ductile shear induced by scooping and plowing actions of the abrasive particles. Although average surface roughness of less than 1.6-3 μm is obtainable through out the cutting region by using #100 garnet abrasive with a water pressure of 207 MPa, machined surface found to have some embedded abrasive particles.