Abrasive water jet machining mechanisms in continuous-fiber ceramic composites

Advanced continuous fiber-reinforced ceramic composite (CFCC) materials hav e been machined with abrasive water jet (AWJ) drilling and cutting processe s. Cutting forces, surface microstructure, and retained tensile behaviors w ere evaluated using dynamometry, surface profilometry, scanning electron mi croscopy, and tensile testing, respectively. The AWJ surface characteristic s, i.e., roughness and the micromechanisms of material removal of CFCCs, we re compared with those of a conventional diamond saw cut surface. Material removal mechanisms for AWJ cutting of CFCC consist of a combination of bend ing, shearing, micromachining, and erosion. The micromechanisms associated with AWJ hole drilling, or piercing on the other hand, are microfracture of fibers and matrix, delamination, and fragmentation of fiber bundles. The t ensile mechanical behavior is negligibly different between the AWJ machined and diamond grit ground CFCC materials.