Influence of Abrasive Waterjet Parameters on Surface Quality and Material Removal in WNiFe Tungsten Alloy

Abrasive Waterjet (AWJ) milling effectively processes high-strength materials like WNiFe tungsten alloy without altering their properties. This study investigates the effects of jet pressure, traverse speed, and abrasive mass flow rate on the machining performance. The results indicate that increasing jet pressure significantly enhances groove depth, with higher pressures leading to more aggressive material removal. Conversely, higher traverse speeds reduce groove depth, emphasizing the need for slower speeds for deeper penetration. Increased abrasive mass flow rates also significantly improve groove depth but pose challenges related to material wear and cost. Surface analysis using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed that higher jet pressures and lower traverse speeds produce smoother surfaces and more distinct grooves. The findings highlight the importance of optimizing AWJ parameters to achieve efficient material removal and desired groove geometries. This research provides valuable insights for improving AWJ machining of tungsten alloys in industrial applications.