Abstract: This study investigates the influence of AWJM parameters on MRR and SR while machining of high carbon high chromium steel (AISI D3) material. The parameters considered are water pressure, feed rate, abrasive flow rate and stand-off distance. The experiments were performed on the abrasive water jet machine. The experiments planned, conducted and analysed using Taguchi method. It is found that the MRR is mainly influenced by feed rate; where as other factors have very less effect on material removal rate. Similarly SR at Top and Bottom are measured and analysed. Abrasive Water jet machining (AWJM) is a non-conventional manufacturing process, where material is removed from the work piece by impact erosion of pressurized high velocity water stream mixed with high velocity grit abrasives on a work piece. There are so many process parameters which affect the quality of machined surface cut by AWJM. But, the traverse speed, hydraulic pressure, stand-off distance, abrasive flow rate and type of abrasive are important. However, the important performance measures in AWJM are Material Removal Rate (MRR), Surface Roughness (SR). This work reports influence of process parameters of AWJM in machining AISI D3 material.It was confirmed that optimal combination of AWJM process parameters satisfy the real need for machining of AISI D3 in actual practice.

Keywords: AWJM, Process parameter, Process optimization, MRR, SR, ANOVA, L27 orthogonal array.