Analytical modelling of the total depth of cut in the abrasive water jet machining of polycrystalline brittle material

In the present paper, the material removal mechanism in the abrasive water jet machining of polycrystalline ceramics is addressed. The proposed mechanism seems to be micro-cutting and inter-granular fracture at shallow angles of impact. This is followed by plastic deformation and inter-granular fracture at near-orthogonal angles of impact. The analytical model developed to predict the total depth of cut correlates quite well with experimental data. Future scope exists for the incorporation into the model of the variation in the width of cut over the depth.