## 1 Introduction  
Carbon fiber-reinforced polymer is a composite material known for its remarkable strength-to-weight ratio, rigidity, and resistance to fatigue and environmental degradation [1]. These properties make CFRP a material used across many high-performance applications, including the aerospace [2], automotive [3], sporting goods, and construction industries [4]. CFRP is composed of carbon fibers embedded in a polymer matrix, typically an epoxy resin. The carbon fibers provide high tensile strength and stiffness, while the polymer matrix protects the fibers and helps transfer loads between them [5, 6]. This combination results in a composite that is not only lightweight but also very strong and durable [7, 8]. The alignment of carbon fibers within the matrix can be tailored to optimize mechanical properties in specific directions, allowing for the design of components that meet demanding performance criteria [7, 9, 10]. In the aerospace industry, CFRP has revolutionized the design and manufacture of aircraft components. Its low weight contributes significantly to fuel efficiency and performance. This enables the creation of lighter, more efficient airframes and structural components [11]. The automotive industry has also embraced CFRP for its potential to reduce vehicle weight, which improves fuel efficiency and performance overall [8]. Luxuryand high-performance cars frequently use CFRP for body panels, chassis components, and interior structures. CFRP is also the material of choice for high-performance equipment, such as bicycles, tennis rackets, and golf clubs [1]. The heterogeneous nature of CFRP, characterized by the distinct properties of its fiber and matrix components, makes the machining process more complex [5; 12]. Unlike metals, CFRP does not deform plastically; instead, it tends to fracture, which can lead to various defects [7; 13]. The most damaging issue is delamination, in which layers of the composite separate due to the stresses induced during machining [14]. Abrasive water jet (AWJ) machining has emerged as a promising technique for processing CFRP due to its ability to cut without inducing significant thermal stresses [15; 16]. The principle of AWJ cutting is based on the use of high-pressure water combined with abrasive particles to precisely cut and shape various materials [17; 18]. Figure 1 illustrates the AWJ processing principle. A high-pressure pump is used to pressurize water to extremely high levels, typically between 100 and 600 MPa [19]. This pressurized water is then directed through a small orifice, creating a focused, high-velocity jet of water. Once the high-velocity water jet is formed, abrasive particles, such as garnet, are introduced into the stream. This mixture is created in a mixing chamber where the abrasive particles are set into motion in the water jet [17; 20]. The addition of abrasive particles significantly enhances the cutting capabilities of the water jet, allowing it to cut through tougher and thicker materials that pure water jets alone could not handle. The mixture of high-velocity water and abrasive particles exits through a focusing tube, forming the abrasive water jet [21; 22]. When the AWJ is directed toward the material to be cut, the high kinetic energy of the abrasive particles hits the surface [23]. Abrasive water jet cutting (AWJC) offers many advantages over traditional cutting methods. It is highly versatile and capable of cutting a wide range of materials, including metals, composites, ceramics, glass, and stone [24]. AWJC is a cold-cutting process, which means that it generates no significant heat during the cutting operation. This is especially advantageous when cutting CFRP, as it eliminates the risk of heat-induced damage, such as thermal degradation, preserving the material's integrity and mechanical properties [17; 25; 26]. AWJC offers good precision, allowing for intricate and complex shapes to be cut with high accuracy [27; 28].