Material removal characteristics and particle motions in abrasive water jet quantitative machining

Abrasive water jet quantitative machining (AWJQM) is a method that enables the production of lightweight mirrors. Investigating material removal characteristics and particle motions in AWJQM is necessary to understand its erosion mechanism and improve its processability. A material removal model based on computational fluid dynamics was established in this study by integrating the transition condition of the brittle-ductile mechanism and the single-particle erosion model. Quantitative machining experiments were carried out to verify the material removal model, and experimental data were consistent with the simulation results. Further simulation experiments were carried out to explore the particle distribution under different working pressures or slurry viscosities. Results showed that operating parameters affect the workpiece surface profile by changing the flow field distribution and particle behavior.