Waterjet cutting vs. Laser cutting: Which one to choose for thick materials?

In the world of industrial machining, choosing the right cutting technology not only impacts cost but also the structural integrity of the part. Two of the most widely used technologies – waterjet cutting and laser cutting- often raise questions. However, when working with thick materials, the differences become critical.

One of the most important concepts in metallurgy is the Heat-Affected Zone (HAZ). It refers to the area of the metal that, although not melted, has undergone changes in its microstructure and mechanical properties due to high cutting temperatures.

Laser cutting is extremely fast when working with thin sheets, but its efficiency decreases as thickness increases (typically limited to 20-25 mm in steel).

In contrast, waterjet cutting at Rectificados Mayer allors us to work with much greater thicknesses (up to 200 mm or more) without losing cutting capability. Additionally, waterjet technlogy is highly versatile: it can cut hardened steels, plastics, rubber, and ceramics -materials that laser cutting could burn or damage.

While laser cutting may leave melted burrs on the underside of thick parts, waterjet cutting provides a smooth, sandblasted finish. This is especially important if the part requires subsequent grinding, as there will be no hardened layers or melted residues that could damage grinding wheels.

As mentioned, the absence of heat is the key advantage of waterjet cutting. By choosing this method:

If your priority is precision in thick parts or you work with heat-sensitive materials, waterjet cutting is the best option. It is ideal for:

In many cases, cutting is only the first step. To achieve micron-level tolerances and mirror-like surface finishes, surface grinding becomes essential.

By performing waterjet cutting beforehand, we ensure that the part entering the grinding process has no internal stresses or heat-hardened edges, allowing for faster, more precise, and safer grinding.

While laser cutting is an excellent solution for the rapid production of thin parts, waterjet cutting dominates when it comes to thick materials and material integrity. At Rectificados Mayer, we combine advanced cold cutting technology with our expertise in precision grinding to deliver components ready for the most demanding applications.

If you would like more information about this process or want to place an order, feel free to contact us.