07 May Abrasive Water Jet Cutting Explained: How It Works and When to Use It
In today’s fast-paced manufacturing world, precision, versatility, and efficiency are more important than ever. That’s where abrasive water jet cutting comes in—a powerful, cold-cutting process that’s redefining what’s possible across aerospace, tactical defense, automotive, medical, and more. At Mainstream, we combine cutting-edge waterjet technology with deep industry expertise to help customers across North America get the edge they need.
What Is Abrasive Water Jet Cutting?
Abrasive water jet cutting uses a high-pressure stream of water—mixed with abrasive materials like garnet—to cut through virtually any material without generating heat. This cold-cutting process prevents thermal distortion, warping, or hardened edges, which are common in laser or plasma cutting.
The process is ideal for:
- Thick or heat-sensitive materials
- Metals like titanium, stainless steel, and aluminum
- Non-metals such as plastics, stone, rubber, and glass
- Complex geometries requiring high precision
Why Use Abrasive Water Jet Cutting?
Unlike traditional cutting methods, abrasive water jet cutting:
- Maintains material integrity (no heat-affected zones)
- Cuts up to 24” thick with tolerances as close as +/-.001”
- Eliminates secondary finishing steps
- Works on virtually any material type
It’s the go-to solution when precision matters—especially in industries like aerospace, tactical defense, and medical manufacturing.
Mainstream’s Advantage
Mainstream offers 5-axis abrasive water jet cutting with a massive 240” x 120” work envelope, enabling us to cut everything from forged components and tubing to tank heads and structural parts. Whether you need high-volume production or a one-off prototype, we deliver quality and consistency—fast.
As an AS9100D and ISO 9001:2015 certified manufacturer, we’re committed to exceeding quality standards with every part we produce.
Looking for precision without compromise?
Contact Mainstream today to learn how our abrasive water jet cutting services can streamline your next project.
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