Material removal analysis in the radial-mode abrasive waterjet turning of ceramic materials

Abstract

An experimental investigation on the radial-mode abrasive waterjet turning (AWJT) of ceramic materials, with particular attention to 96% alumina and 95% zirconia ceramics, is presented and discussed. The results show that similar tendencies exist in the dependence of material removal rate (MRR) on water pressure and abrasive mass flow rate, as well as the dependence of the turning depth on jet feed speed when turning different ceramic materials using abrasive waterjet (AWJ). The properties of the target material have a great impact on the material removal mechanism and MRR. The MRR of 96% alumina is considerably larger than that of 95% zirconia ceramics. Microscopic analysis of the eroded surface after turning reveals that the material removal mechanism of 96% alumina mainly involves brittle facture damages featured by intergranular cracks and fragmentation, while for 95% zirconia the erosive process is primarily characterised by plastic deformation accompanied with some pits.