Pulsating water jet as a tool for basalt surface treatment

Results of the research oriented at the evaluation of possibility to use pulsating water jets for ornamental stones surface treatment are presented in the paper. Basalt as one of typical representatives of ornamental stones was exposed to flat pulsating water jets during the tests. Characteristics of basalt surface created by acting of pulsating water jets were compared to those created by traditional methods, namely polishing, bush hammering and continuous water jetting. Results obtained up to now indicate that the application of pulsating water jets in surface treatment of basalt can reduce (or even eliminate) disadvantages of traditional techniques because it creates surface with required roughness but preserves its aesthetical appearance.