A study of the erosion characteristics of an EN AE-6060 aluminium alloy processed using middle and high power continuous and modulated water jets

This study investigates the erosion performances of a high-speed modulated jet (MWJ) and continuous water jet (CWJ). Two sets of hydrodynamic nozzles (HDNs) and two circular water nozzles (CWNs) were compared for two levels of hydraulic power (26 and 62 kW), representing middle-and high-power energetic water jets. The HDNs and CWNs were selected based on their size equivalence factor. The erosion effects of modulated and continuous jets were compared using the aluminum alloy EN AW-6060. Owing to the anisotropy of the modulated jet, two orientation angles (0 degrees and 90 degrees) were used in the experiment with a traverse speed of v = 1 mm/s at an optimal standoff distance z (mm). The hydraulic power of the generated water jets was monitored online using a flow-meter and pressure sensor. Overall, 36 runs were performed for mutual comparison. Optical and scanning electron microscopy were employed to investigate the grooves created using these techniques. Achieving a sharper interface in a deeper groove is possible under certain conditions, thereby inducing the effect of the liquid saw blade. In addition, this phenomenon reduces the effect of lateral flow action, which causes significant extrusion of the material above the original plane of the surface when using a pulsating water jet.

Automated summary

This study investigates the erosion performances of a high-speed modulated jet (MWJ) and continuous water jet (CWJ). By comparing different nozzles and water jet powers, the effects of modulated and continuous jets on aluminum alloy were studied. The results show that under certain conditions, modulated jet can create deeper and sharper grooves while reducing the impact of lateral flow.