What differentiates abrasive water jet cutting from regular water jet cutting?

Abrasive water jet cutting is distinguished from regular water jet cutting primarily by the addition of abrasive materials, such as garnet or aluminum oxide, to the water stream. This incorporation of abrasives allows the cutting jet to have much higher energy and to effectively cut through tougher materials, such as metals and ceramics, which would be difficult or impossible to cut with just pure water at high pressure.

Regular water jet cutting utilizes a high-pressure stream of pure water, which is effective for cutting softer materials, such as paper, cloth, rubber, and certain plastics. The absence of abrasives limits its capability to penetrate denser or harder substances. Therefore, the key differentiator is the enhancement of cutting power achieved through the blend of abrasive particles with the water, resulting in a versatile and powerful tool for various industrial applications.