Cutting Steel with Gems: The Surprising Power of Garnet in UHP Water Jets

Forget everything you thought you knew about cutting steel! It's not just brute force; it's a microscopic marvel. Did you know that a common gemstone, Garnet, is the secret behind waterjets slicing through metal? This isn't just about water pressure; it's about a hidden power that’s been transforming manufacturing for decades.

• Garnet as the Abrasive Powerhouse

  Garnet, a naturally occurring gemstone, is the most commonly used abrasive in waterjet cutting due to its hardness (7.5-8.5 on the Mohs scale), making it ideal for slicing through tough materials like steel, titanium, and composites.

• Microscopic Precision

  Garnet particles, often finer than sand (80-120 mesh), are mixed with ultra-high-pressure water (up to 4000 bar) to create a cutting stream that erodes material at a microscopic level, ensuring clean, precise cuts without heat distortion.

• Versatility Across Materials

  Garnet’s durability allows waterjets to cut virtually anything, including titanium, steel, and stone.

• Eco-Friendly and Reusable

  Garnet is non-toxic, chemically inert, and often recyclable, reducing environmental impact compared to other cutting methods.

• Cost-Effective and Abundant

  Sourced from deposits in Australia, India, and the U.S., garnet is relatively affordable, balancing performance and cost, which has made it a staple in waterjet cutting since the technology’s rise in the 1980s.