Abrasive waterjet machining of fiber-reinforced composites: a state-of-the-art review

Abstract

Fiber-reinforced composites have established as a high-performance composite of modern advanced structures in various sectors such as automotive, aerospace, and marine industries. Non-conventional machining processes are preferred for the ease of manufacturing operations, which incorporates the machining of high strength and anisotropic material. Non-conventional manufacturing processes produce complicated shaped profiles and better surface characteristics. Abrasive water jet (AWJ) machining is an emerging technology that offers an excellent alternative among the various advanced machining processes due to its process capabilities and excellent machining quality. AWJ machining has fascinated immense attention in the fields of fiber-reinforced composite materials to produce intricate industrial components and attracted the researchers and production industries. It has become well-known in all key areas of researches. Over the past 30 years, lots of research work has been carried out to describe the machining performances among the studied process parameters. This paper reviews the research progresses and integrated functions of AWJ machining in terms of mechanism and machining performances, which includes aspects such as mathematical modeling and optimization. AWJ machining procedure and performance capability are reviewed and depicted in detail. Also, a comprehensive conclusion of this review, along with future perspective, is explored subsequently. The current review work will help future researchers for the proper selection of different FRP material composite compositions and AWJ machining parameters to achieve better performances. The collection of this review literature will also support the production operations in the future.

Experimental Analysis of Kerf Taper Angle in Cutting Process of Sugar Palm Fiber Reinforced Unsaturated Polyester Composites with Laser Beam and Abrasive Water Jet Cutting Technologies

“…In the cases of medium and large material thicknesses, traverse speed has the largest contribution followed by stand-off-distance with small effect of water pressure, as the lower levels of traverse speeds gave the best kerf taper angle response contrary to the result found by Arumuga Prabu et al [ 1 ] that worked on Banana Fiber Reinforced Polyester Composite, but they found that the optimal response can be obtained with applying the lower levels of stand-off-distance similar to what found in this research. In the cases of 4 and 6 mm material thicknesses, better kerf taper angle can be achieved at a low traverse speed, and low standoff distance, which is consistent with most of the studies surveyed by R. K. Thakur et al [ 44 ].…”

Response Surface Methods Used for Optimization of Abrasive Waterjet Machining of the Stainless Steel X2 CrNiMo 17-12-2

“…Abrasive waterjet machining is an emerging technology that enables the machining of practically all materials [ 5 ]. Machining is possible of parts made from carbon and stainless steel [ 6 ], from composite materials [ 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 ], glass and marble [ 11 ], and so on. Based on the application, the cut-off thickness of materials can be typically 100 mm in stainless steel, 120 mm in aluminum, 100 mm in glass, and 140 mm in stone [ 12 ].…”

Studying the Performance of Cutting Carbon Fibre-Reinforced Plastic Using an Abrasive Water Jet Technique

“…Many researchers have been concerned about the difficulties of machining CFRP, especially thermal damage and low surface quality during manufacturing process [5] and [6]. The complexity of machining different materials' thermal and mechanical properties and the inhomogeneity and anisotropy of CFRPs influences the selection of the machining process and of the tools used.…”