Abrasive waterjet cutting of marble and calcareous stones - A phenomenological study

An experimental study was conducted to better understand the cutting mechanisms of calcareous ornamental stones with different petrographic and mechanical characteristics in abrasive waterjet environment.

It is wen known that in abrasive waterjet cutting, two distinct zones were macroscopically identified: a steady state cutting wear zone and a non-steady state deformation cutting zone. However, it was found that no relationship exists between macroscopic characteristics and microscopic cutting mechanisms along the depth of cut in marble and calcareous stones.

Marbles were observed to cut by wear of calcitic grains with cleavage of calcite and intergranular cracking. Calcareous stones showed inter- and transgranular cracking, sliding of argilous matrix grains and cleavage of calcite. The content of internal pre-existing defects played a major role in the morphology observed, especially pores, cracks and their distribution.