Relative cutting performance of commercially available abrasive waterjet nozzles

摘要

There are a variety of nozzles available commercially for use in high-pressure abrasive waterjet cutting of material. In order to quantify the performance of these nozzles, a test series was set up in which ten nozzles, all those readily available, were tested. The criteria for evaluation is described. The first six nozzles were tested at pressures of 210 MPa, 280 MPa and 350 MPa and at abrasive flow rates (AFR) of 0.28; 0.47 and 0.7 kg/min in a nine-level factorial. The tests showed that cutting with AFR above 0.5 kg/min was not cost effective and, for the application under review, that cutting at a pressure of 210 MPa was similarly not economic. Thus, tests for the final four nozzles were carried out only within the more limited test matrix. The conclusions showed that there was a significant difference in the performance of different nozzle designs, with the best nozzles exceeding the average by over 25%. The review was extended to consider abrasive use, and the potential economics of abrasive recycling and this is also discussed, in light of individual nozzle performance.