Abstract
The ultrahigh pressure water jet is a novel means of cutting and cleaning surfaces. In the past two decades, researchers have been studying the characteristics of the water jet, and have tried to control its cutting process. However, existing knowledge about water jet cutting is still ambiguous. Thus, it cannot satisfy the requirement of precise control. In this paper, the linear stabilised theory is applied to analyse theoretically the relationship of the nozzle diameter and wave num ber in the water flow with the stability of the water jet. Theoretical conclusions satisfy the experimental observations obtained.