Despite the large number of abrasive waterjet machin
ing (AWJM) models
developed so far, there still has been confusion about the nature by which workpiece
surfaces are eroded. It is believed that analysis of stresses generated at the AWJ cutting
interafce could provide deeper insight to explain such an eros
ion behavior. This paper
presents a stress analysis of AWJM using a nonlinear dynamic finite element (FE) code
in order to explain the behaviour of the process. The main objective is to develop an
erosion mechanism which would correctly describe the abrasi
ve
-
material interaction.
The new model considers both AWJ dynamic loading conditions and nonlinear material
behavior. The results show that the workpiece material fails due to highly localized
plastic deformation caused by compressive stresses, specially a
t the AWJ cutting
interface. Also AWJM causes residual stresses to remain in the workpiece material after
machining.