Underwater Cutting Using a Consumable Electrode Water Jet Technique at a Deep water Depth

Abstract

The authors have developed a consumable electrode water jet cutting technique as a underwater cutting method. Underwater cuttings of mild steel and aluminum were at this time carried out at a water depth up to 200 m. Welding machine and electrode wire used were DC constant voltage characteristic and 2.4 mm diam. steel wire. Cutting result at a deep water depth obtained was the same that at a shallow water depth, in case no load voltage was heightend 0.5-1.0 v every 10 m deep with increasing of water depth.
Underwater cutting of mild steel by aluminum wire was also achieved at water depth up to 90 m. The dross was not recognized at cut surface, which was better than that by steel wire.