Surface properties of the cut face obtained by different cutting methods from AISI 304 stainless steel materials

AISI 304 stainless steel which is widely used almost in all industrial applications is accounted for approximately 50% of the world's stainless steel production and consumption. Because of its aesthetic view in architectures, resistance against corrosion and chemicals, it became as the most preferred material. Today several methods for machining of AISI 304 stainless steel are available. Most of these methods result in loss of superior properties of the stainless steel material and makes it to act like other ordinary materials within the machined zones. In this study, specimens taken from the AISI 304 material are cut by the cutting methods which are commonly used in machining. The resulting surface properties of these specimens are compared with original materials with respect to different methods. Finally mechanical and metallurgical properties of the cut face obtained by each method are examined. The results show that cutting with abrasive water jet gives the most favorable result while oxygen cutting gives the worst.