Abstract
The most common problem when machining titanium using traditional metal cutting processes is that tools rapidly wear out and need to be replaced. This study examines the ability of a pure water jet to machine Ti-6Al-4V via simulations using ABAQUS’s Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH). These simulations are then validated experimentally at two pressures, 138 MPa and 317 MPa. Using a Maxiem water jet built by Omax, experiments are conducted by creating a series of 5 lines that are 5 inches (127 mm) long placed 0.5 inches (12.7 mm) apart on a 1 mm thick Ti-6Al-4V workpiece. Predictive modeling is also conducted using the two additional pressures 400 MPa and 621 MPa as well as three orifice diameters 0.254 mm, 0.3556 mm, and 0.4572 mm. The simulations are validated at both pressures and had a percent error less than 2.6% which were within the standard deviation of the experimental results. The predictive modeling indicates that the pressures above 317 MPa create a near identical percent increase from the orifice diameter but the kerf has a more noticeable decrease in width of cut as the pressure increases. The 138 MPa has the smoothest surface profile compared to the other pressures. The volume of removed material decreases as the pressure increases but the material removal rate (MRR) increases as the pressure increases. This is due to the velocity of the water increasing as the pressure increases causing a lower run time. The 621 MPa is the best pressure to machine Ti-6Al-4V as it has a better MRR than the other pressures used in the predictive modelling.
