Abstract
Mechanical seals can benefit from surface texturing. However, array textures with high surface quality are difficult to efficiently fabricate on seal ring made from cemented carbides (WC-6Co) using the conventional machining processes due to the material with high hardness and non-uniform structure. This paper attempted using abrasive jet machining (AJM) method to address this challenge. The influences of AJM parameters on the machinability and material removal mechanism of this two-phase WC-6Co were highlighted. Some main parameters such as jet angle, nozzle motion rat, abrasive concentration, air pressure and jet distance were considered, and their influencing mechanisms on machining depth (Hg) and attainable surface roughness (Sa) were analyzed using the response surface method (RSM). A three-level five-factor quadratic model was yielded to accurately predict Hg and Sa. The significance of key process parameters and their interactions were visibly compared and analyzed. The process parameters were synchronously optimized by the desirable function of RSM. Average errors for Hg and Sa between experimental and predicted values were within 5.2%, which indicates that the established prediction models could be used to well and truly predict Hg and Sa. This paper is expected to provide theoretical guidance for the selection of AJM processing parameters of WC-6Co in actual production.