How to Select Tungsten Electrodes?

Tungsten is a unique metallic component utilized for assembling gas tungsten curve welding (GTAW) electrodes. The GTAW interaction depends on tungsten's hardness and high-temperature protection from conveying the welding current to the curve. Tungsten has the most noteworthy dissolving point of any metal, 3,410 degrees Celsius. 

These non-consumable terminals arrive in various sizes and lengths and are made out of either unadulterated tungsten or a composite of tungsten and other uncommon earth components and oxides. Picking an electrode for GTAW relies upon the base material sort and thickness, regardless of whether you weld with rotating current (AC) or direct current (DC). One of three end arrangements you pick, balled, pointed, or shortened, likewise is critical in enhancing the outcomes and forestalling tainting and revamp. 

Every terminal is shading coded to dispense with disarray over its sort. The tone shows up at the tip of the anode. 

How to Select Tungsten Electrodes?

There are various types of tungsten electrodes, and each one is used for distinct uses.

Pure Tungsten (Color Code: Green) 

Pure tungsten terminals (AWS order EWP) contain 99.50 percent tungsten, have the most elevated utilization pace, and ordinarily are more affordable than their alloyed partners. 

When warmed, these terminals structure a clean, balled tip and give extraordinary curve security to AC welding with a reasonable wave. If you wonder what is green tungsten used for, it gives great bend solidness to AC sine wave welding, particularly on aluminum and magnesium. DC welding isn't normally utilized since it doesn't furnish the solid bend related to thoriated or ceriated terminals. 

2% Thoriated (Color Code: Red) 

Thoriated tungsten terminals (AWS order EWTh-2) contain at least 97.30 percent tungsten and around 2.20 percent thorium and are called 2% thoriated electrodes. They are the most generally utilized terminals today and are liked for their life span and convenience. Thorium builds the electron outflow characteristics of the anode, which further develops the bend and considers a higher current-conveying limit. This anode works far underneath its softening temperature, which results in an impressively lower pace of utilization and kills circular segment meandering for more prominent security. Contrasted and different anodes, thoriated cathodes store less tungsten into the weld puddle, so they cause less weld defilement. 

These terminals are utilized predominantly for the claim to fame AC welding (for example, slim check aluminum and material under 0.060 inches) and DC welding, either anode negative or straight extremity, on carbon steel, treated steel, nickel, and titanium. 

Ceriated (Color Code: Orange) 

Ceriated tungsten terminals (AWS grouping EWCe-2) contain at least 97.30 percent tungsten and 1.80 to 2.20 percent cerium and are alluded to as 2% ceriated. These terminals perform best in DC welding at low current settings however can be utilized capably in AC measures. With its amazing circular segment at low amperages, ceriated tungsten has become well known in applications such as orbital cylinder and line manufacturing, flimsy sheet metal work, and occupations including little and fragile parts. Like thorium, it is best used to weld carbon steel, treated steel, nickel combinations, and titanium, and now and again, it can supplant 2% thoriated cathodes.

Utilizing ceriated anodes at higher amperages isn't suggested because higher amperages cause the oxides to relocate rapidly to the warmth at the tip, eliminating the oxide content and invalidating its interaction benefits. 

Lanthanated (Color Code: Gold)

Lanthanated tungsten terminals (AWS grouping EWLa-1.5) contain at least 97.80 percent tungsten and nearly 2 percent lanthanum, or lanthana, and are known as 2% lanthanated tungsten. These electrodes have a superb curve beginning, a low burnoff rate, great curve security, and amazing reignition qualities—many similar benefits as ceriated terminals. Lanthanated anodes additionally share the conductivity attributes of 2% thoriated tungsten. At times, 2% percent lanthanated tungsten can supplant 2% thoriated without making huge welding program changes. 

Lanthanated tungsten terminals are great, assuming you need to upgrade your welding abilities. They function admirably on AC or DC cathode negative with a sharp end, or they can be balled for use with AC sine wave power sources.

In contrast to thoriated tungsten, these anodes are reasonable for AC welding and, as ceriated cathodes, permit the circular segment to be begun and kept up with at lower voltages. Contrasted and unadulterated tungsten, the expansion of 1.5 percent lanthana builds the greatest current-conveying limit by roughly 50% for a given terminal size. 

Zirconiated (Color Code: Brown)

Zirconiated tungsten cathodes (AWS grouping EWZr-1) contain at least 99.10 percent tungsten and 0.15 to 0.40 percent zirconium. A zirconiated tungsten cathode delivers an incredibly steady curve and opposes tungsten spitting. It is great for AC welding since it holds a balled tip and has high protection from pollution. Its current-conveying capacity is equivalent to or more noteworthy than that of thoriated tungsten. By no means is zirconiated suggested for DC welding. 

Rare Earth (Color Code: Gray) 

Uncommon earth tungsten terminals (AWS order EWG) contain undefined added substances of uncommon earth oxides or half blends of various oxides. However, producers are needed to distinguish every added substance and its rate on the bundle. Contingent upon the added substances, wanted outcomes can remember a steady circular segment for both AC and DC measures, more prominent life span than thoriated tungsten, the capacity to utilize a more modest breadth cathode for similar work, utilization of a higher current for a comparatively estimated anode, and less tungsten spitting.