Types Of AJM Abrasive Material and Its Specific Application
The most common abrasive materials used for Abrasive jet machining are aluminium oxide, silicon carbide. Sodium bicarbonates, glass beads of small grain size and dolomite are used for cleaning and polishing purpose. The selection of abrasive material depends on the work material, machining operation and required material removal rate.
The size of the material is also important. The material removal rate (MRR) depends on the grain size. The coarse grains give high MRR, and they are recommended for cutting. The finer grains are useful in finishing operation. However, the finer grain tends to stick together and cause a clog in the nozzle. The grain must be sharp edged, but fine enough to remain suspended in the carrier gas, and it should have good flow characteristic. The favorable grain size is between 10 to 50µ.
Some abrasive material and their specific application are given below
Abrasives
|
Grain Sizes
|
Application
|
Aluminium oxide (Al2O3)
|
12, 20, 50 microns
|
Cleaning, cutting, grooving and deburring
|
Silicon carbide (SiC)
|
25,40 micron
|
Cutting, grooving and deburring of hard material
|
Glass beads
|
0.635 to 1.27mm
|
Light polishing and deburring, matte finish
|
Dolomite (Calcium magnesium carbonate)
|
200 mesh
|
Etching and polishing
Machining of soft material, light cleaning
|
Sodium bicarbonate
|
27 micros
|
Cleaning, deburring and cutting of soft material.
Light finishing below 50°C
|
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