Influence of nozzle design and process parameters on surface roughness of CFRP machined by abrasive jet

Carbon fiber reinforced polymer composites find extensive applications in the areas of automotive, aircraft and aerospace, medical sciences, and electronics. Their usage in automated engineering industry needs good quality in components and excellent surface finish. The aim of this research work is to make holes on carbon fiber reinforced polymer composite material using a newly designed nozzle with and without internal thread. Surface roughness (Ra) was calculated across the depth of the machined hole. The effect of air and abrasive mixture pressure (P), stand-off distance (L), nozzle diameter (D), and abrasive size (S) on surface roughness was carried out for two different nozzles. The experimental result showed offer of good surface finish on CFRP materials from the newly designed nozzle with internal thread.