What Materials Can A Waterjet Cutting Machine Cut?

What Materials Can A WaterJet Cutting Machine Cut?

Currently, there are many cutting methods used in industrial production, such as waterjet cutting, laser cutting, flame cutting, wire cutting, etc.
Today, let's talk about waterjet cutting.
If we compare a waterjet cutting machine to a craftsman, it would undoubtedly be the one that is least picky about materials, the most patient, and the most precise.
Without relying on high temperatures or sparks, it can achieve precise cutting of materials ranging from metals to stone, from glass to composite materials, simply by using a high-speed water jet carrying abrasive particles.
Below, we will explain in detail which materials can be cut using waterjet cutting.
I. Metal Materials
1. Carbon Steel / Stainless Steel / Alloy Steel
This is the most common and mature application area for waterjet cutting.
Cutting thickness:
Conventional production: 1–100 mm
Special requirements: up to 150–200 mm
Cutting speed:
10 mm stainless steel: approximately 200–300 mm/min
30 mm stainless steel: approximately 80–120 mm/min
Advantages:
Cold cutting, no heat-affected zone
Does not alter the internal structure of the material
Stable cutting quality for thick plates
Suitable for machining, heavy industry manufacturing, and mold industry.
2. Aluminum Alloy / Copper / Brass
These materials are prone to reflection and burning when using lasers, while waterjet cutting is very "gentle."
Cutting thickness:
Aluminum alloy: 1–120 mm
Copper/Brass: 1–80 mm
Cutting speed (reference):
10 mm aluminum plate: 300–500 mm/min
Advantages:
No reflection, no discoloration
Clean edges, no burning
Especially suitable for high-precision parts
II. Stone and Building Materials
3. Marble / Granite / Artificial Stone
In the stone industry, waterjet cutting is more like a "sculptor."
Cutting thickness:
Conventional: 10–80 mm
Special customization: over 100 mm
Cutting speed:
20 mm stone: 100–200 mm/min
Advantages:
No chipping, no cracking
Can create complex patterns and curves
Especially suitable for high-end decoration projects
4. Tiles / Ceramics
This is a rapidly growing application area in recent years.
Cutting thickness:
Tiles: 5–30 mm
Cutting speed:
10 mm tiles: 300–400 mm/min
Advantages:
Smooth edges
Suitable for irregular shape cutting
More stable results when combined with a laser height measurement system
III. Glass Materials
5. Ordinary Glass / Pre-tempered Glass / Bulletproof Glass
Waterjet cutting of glass is more like "whispering." Cutting Thickness:
Ordinary glass: 3–50 mm
Laminated glass: Can be cut in layers
Cutting Speed:
8 mm glass: 200–300 mm/min
Advantages:
No shattering
Fine cut
Especially suitable for art glass and architectural glass
IV. Composite Materials and Special Materials
6. Carbon Fiber / Fiberglass / Composite Panels
This is the "main battlefield" for waterjet cutting in high-end manufacturing.
Cutting Thickness:
Carbon fiber: 1–50 mm
Cutting Speed:
5 mm composite material: 400–600 mm/min
Advantages:
No delamination, no fraying
No dust generation
Widely used in aerospace and automotive industries
7. Rubber / Plastic / Foam
Pure water cutting (without abrasives) is usually used here.
Cutting Thickness:
Rubber / Plastic: 1–100 mm
Cutting Speed:
10 mm rubber: 500–800 mm/min
Advantages:
Clean cut
No deformation
Especially suitable for seals and gaskets
V. Summary Table of Waterjet Cutting Capabilities for Various Materials (For Reference)

Material Type	Maximum Thickness	Cutting Speed
Stainless Steel	150 mm	80–300 mm/min
Aluminum Alloy	120 mm	300–500 mm/min
Stone	100 mm	100–200 mm/min
Ceramic Tiles	30 mm	300–400 mm/min
Glass	50 mm	200–300 mm/min
Carbon Fiber	50 mm	400–600 mm/min
Rubber	100 mm	500–800 mm/min

Note: Actual speed and thickness will vary depending on pressure, nozzle, abrasive material, and workpiece precision requirements.

There are virtually no materials that a waterjet cannot cut, only whether the configuration is suitable.
It is precisely because of this material adaptability that waterjet cutting machines have become one of the most versatile, safest, and most stable cutting methods in manufacturing.
With the right configuration of pressure, cutting head, abrasive system, and control system, a single Waterjet Machine can handle the processing tasks of a wide variety of materials.