M.Sc. Tezi Görüntüleme

Student:	İzzet KARAKURT
Supervisor:	Asst.Prof.Dr.Kerim AYDINER
Department:	Maden Mühendisliği
Institution:	Graduate School of Natural and Applied Sciences
University:	Karadeniz Technical University, Turkey

Title of the Thesis:	Investigating Performances of Abrasive Cutting Systems in Rock Cutting
Level:	M.Sc.
Acceptance Date:	31/1/2007
Number of Pages:	76
Registration Number:	i1787

Summary:

Benefiting from its impact or pressure effect, the use of water in cutting of materials dates back 30s. However, it has gained importance following 80s and water jet cutting technology has found extensive applications in diverse areas of industry. Abrasive water jets including abrasive material particles allow to use lower working pressures and has been used especially in cutting harder materials like metals. In mining industry, the water jet cutting systems are used basically in block production in natural stone quarries and final processing of slabs in marble plants. The water jet systems have important advantages over the conventional cutting systems as low working pressure requirement, flexible and multi-axis cutting ability. It also eliminates the heat accumulation on the material surfaces as is the case in the conventional systems.

This research investigates the cutting performance of the abrasive water jet systems in cutting rocks of different genesis. Five different types of natural stones were used in the research. A computer controlled water jet system capable to three-axis movement was used in the experiments. In the experiments the operating variables tested are pump pressure, cutting speed, abrasive feed rate and standoff distance. Cutting performance of the system was analyzed on three criteria as cutting depth, cutting width, smooth surface depth. Surface striation characteristics were, also, analyzed.

As a result of the analyses, low cutting speed and standoff distance variables provided improved cutting performances. When higher values were selected, the values obtained for both of the variables were worsened. Cutting width values were increased while cutting depths were decreased. Surface qualities of the samples were also worsened with the higher values of the cutting speed and standoff distances. Increase of the abrasive mass flow rate value brought the result of increased cutting depth. However, the cutting width and surface qualities affected adversely.

Keywords: Natural Stones, Rock Cutting, Abrasive Water Jet, High Pressure Water jet, Striation, Surface Topography