Objective To optimize the high-pressure water jet system for alloy rod. Methods A high-pressure water jet descaling system test device for metal rod was established, and the effects of material, working pressure, nozzle number, speed, abrasive concentration, and target distance on descaling result were studied. Image processing technology was adopted for the quantitative analysis of descaling effect, and the descaling effect was quantized to a precise representation of net descaling rate. The effects of system pressure, nozzle number, movement speed, abrasive concentration and target distance on descaling were fitted and analyzed by MATLAB software. Results The production line of 5000 t/ a high-pressure water jet descaling system for alloy rod was designed, with the parameters as follows: rated pressure 45 MPa, rated flow 10 m3 / h, maximum speed descaling 40 m/ min, abrasive concentration 35% , target distance 20 mm, amount of nozzles 12. Conclusion The high-pressure water jet descaling system could meet the descaling design requirements of alloy wire rod, with broad application prospects.