Optimum Parameters for Cutting Hard and Tough Material (Hardox Steel) by Abrasive Water Jet Cutting Process

Nowadays, the non-traditional processes such as LASER, EDM and AWJ, are used for cutting high thickness sheet metal. Hardox is hard and tough steel alloy and it has many industrial applications. One of the best processes to cut the Hardox is abrasive water jet (AWJ) cutting. It can cut complex shapes with high quality and accurate tolerances. AWJ cutting offers certain unique benefits such as negligible heat affected zone, high degree of manoeuvrability in cutting process and less machining force exertion. In this research work, first, the effective cutting process “AWJ” parameters were identified. Then, to determine optimum Hardox cutting parameters, some experimental tests were undergone. Finally, the experimental results were analysed using “ANOVA” technique in order to determine regression equations for achieving optimum parameters to set-up equipment for Hardox steel cutting.