Waterjet Cutting Metals
Steel, stainless steel, mild steel, aluminium, brass, wear plate and copper cut to your file — clean satin edge, no heat-affected zone, ready to weld or finish straight off the bed.
2m × 4m cutting bed
Up to 150mm thick
No heat-affected zone
Free quotes
Why waterjet cutting suits metal
Heat is the main enemy of precision metal cutting. Laser and plasma cutting generate significant heat at the cut edge, which can warp thin sheet, harden the edge of stainless steel, discolour the surface, and force secondary grinding or deburring before the part is usable. Waterjet sidesteps all of that — it’s a cold cutting process using high-pressure water and garnet abrasive, so there’s no heat-affected zone and the metal retains its original structure and surface properties right to the cut line.
Waterjet also handles copper, which is notoriously difficult for laser cutting because its reflectivity can bounce the beam back into the machine’s optics. On a waterjet, copper cuts the same as any other material — cleanly and accurately.
Metals we waterjet cut
Aluminium
All grades and thicknesses, 5005, 5086, 5052, 6061 including marine-grade aluminium plate. Waterjet leaves a fine, sandblasted satin finish with no heat distortion, making it ideal for welding — aluminium must be clean before welding, and waterjet cut aluminium needs no pre-cleaning.
Typical uses: flanges, brackets, gussets, panels, marine fittings, transport components, signage, architectural features.
Stainless Steel
All grades and thicknesses. No burn marks, no edge discolouration, and no hardening at the cut edge — the part is ready to weld or finish straight off the bed. Used extensively in food processing, marine, chemical processing, and medical applications. Typical uses: food-grade fittings, marine components, chemical plant parts, architectural features.
Steel (Hardwearing, Structural & Mild)
Hardwearing and structural steel grades including 400, 450, and 500 grade wear plate, cut cleanly to any 2D shape. Round and square holes are cut accurately without the distortion that oxy-acetylene produces when cutting heavy plate. Typical uses: wear liners, bucket components, machinery parts, brackets, structural plates.
Brass
All thicknesses up to 150mm, cut to any 2D shape with a fine machined finish and no edge discolouration. No post-processing needed.
Typical uses: signage, nameplates, plaques, architectural features, decorative hardware, marine fittings, electrical components, musical instruments.
Copper
Copper's high reflectivity makes it problematic for laser cutting but straightforward for waterjet — it cuts cleanly with no reflectivity issues, no burring, and no heat distortion.
Typical uses: busbars, power distribution components, switchboards, substations, solar and wind farm components, heat exchangers.
Wear Plate
Abrasive waterjet cutting is ideal for heavy-duty wear plates like Hardox and Bisalloy. Its cold cutting process eliminates Heat-Affected Zones, preserving steel hardness and structural integrity. Guided by precision CNC, it easily cuts thick plates into smooth, ready-to-install wear liners, chute plates, and hopper armour for mining and industrial equipment.
Who uses metal waterjet cutting
- Marine and boat building — aluminium and stainless fittings
- Mining and earthmoving — hardwearing steel wear plates and bucket components
- Aerospace and defence — aluminium and stainless components to tight tolerances
- Food and beverage manufacturing — food-grade stainless steel
- Electrical and power distribution — copper busbars and components
- Architecture and construction — brass and aluminium feature elements
- Automotive and transport — aluminium and stainless components
Ferrous & Non-Ferrous Metal Processing
We provide precision waterjet cutting across the full spectrum of metallic materials, adapting cutting speeds and pressures to match the specific structural and chemical properties of each alloy:
Ferrous Metals (Iron-Based): Structural carbon steel, mild steel, cast iron, and hardened tool steels. Waterjet cutting slices through high-density ferrous metals without heat warping, edge hardening, or compromising temper.
Non-Ferrous Metals (Non-Iron): High-purity copper (busbars), brass, aluminium, bronze, stainless steel, titanium, and exotic alloys. Because non-ferrous alloys often exhibit high thermal conductivity or reflectivity (which challenge traditional thermal processes like lasers), cold waterjet cutting is the ideal solution—delivering clean, oxidation-free, and burr-free edges ready for plating or assembly.
Metal waterjet cutting FAQs
Can you waterjet cut mild steel?
What thicknesses can you cut?
Will stainless steel or aluminium need any finishing after waterjet cutting?
Can you supply the material, or do I need to?
Proven Workmanship:
Recent Metals Cutting Projects
