Application of granite, glass, slug and concrete wastes as abrasive in natural stone cutting with abrasive water jet

In this study, the potential use of various wastes (glass, granite, concrete and ferrochrome slag) as abrasive in abrasive water jet (AWJ) cutting of natural stones was investigated. The wastes were firstly processed to provide abrasive grains in the sizes required for AWJ cutting. During the cutting experiments, the cutting parameters except the feed rate were kept constant. The cutting performance of the abrasives was evaluated with reference to cutting depth, cutting width, material removal rate, kerf angle and quality of the cutting surfaces. In the study, it was determined that higher cutting depths were obtained at low traverse speeds. It was concluded that the changes in traverse speed did not significantly affect other performance outputs. In addition, it was determined that lower cutting depths and material removal rates were obtained in work pieces with high density and mechanical strength. It was concluded that high hardness and density abrasives increased the cutting depth and material removal rate. On the other hand, no significant relationship was found between traverse speed, abrasive type and work piece properties, and cutting width and surface roughness. In addition, it was revealed that low kerf angles were obtained for work pieces and abrasives with low strength and hardness. As a result, it was concluded that ferrochrome slag, granite and glass can be considered as abrasive in AWJ cutting of natural stones. This will reduce the production cost of the cut material and increase the competitiveness of the product in the market.