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The research results presented in this paper are relevant to a study concerning specific physical phenomena which occur when multilayer composites are cut using a high-pressure abrasive water jet. This paper discusses the applications of high-pressure abrasive water jet machining (AWJM) for processing multilayer composite structures, comprising carbon fibre layers as a filler and different types of matrix material. Due to their anisotropy, heterogeneity and sensitivity to temperature changes, such materials present numerous challenges in processing. The multilayer structures were designed and manufactured using a pressure reactor (autoclave) technology. A series of experiments were performed focused on analysing the effect of the feed rate, v f, on the stereometry and morphology of the surface of the cut and the quality of the cut edge. The results suggest that a factor which facilitates minimising damage to the surface of the cut and as-cut edges is the appropriate adjustment and optimisation of the feed rate. The tests confirmed that the application of optimal AWJM processing parameters enables a significant reduction in damage, which may include: interface debonding, delamination and its propagation deep into the composite structure, cracking of the matrix and filler, fibre pull-outs, edge fraying, and many others. Minimising surface and edge damage after AWJM provides an improved surface morphology and directly increases the quality of AWJM. Consequently, this allows for specific qualitative, quantitative and economic (utilitarian) benefits.
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