Thoriated Tungsten vs Lanthanated

A wide range of gas tungsten electrode welding is utilized in the industry. Such application utilizes orbital welders and other robotized gas tungsten circular segment welding, and tungsten electrodes with specific terminal attributes are used. The main tungsten electrodes used are thoriated tungsten electrodes and 2% lanthanide electrodes. Here is the basic information about both electrodes.

Difference Between Thoriated and Lanthanide Tungsten Electrodes

Thoriated Tungsten Electrode

Thoriated tungsten electrodes (AWS order EWTh-2) are made with 97.30 percent tungsten and approximately 2 percent thorium and are called 2% thoriated. They are the most ordinarily utilized anodes today and are liked for their life span and usability. Thorium builds the electron discharge characteristics of the cathode, which further develops the curve and considers a higher current-conveying limit. This anode works far underneath its liquefying temperature, which results in a significantly lower pace of utilization and disposes of curve meandering for more noteworthy security. Contrasted and different anodes, thoriated terminals store less tungsten in the weld puddle, so they cause less weld pollution. 

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

During assembling, thorium is equally scattered all through the cathode, which assists the tungsten with keeping up with its honed edge—the ideal terminal shape for slender welding steel—after crushing. Note: Thorium is radioactive; along these lines, you should consistently follow the maker's warnings, guidelines, and the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for its utilization. 

Lanthanide Tungsten Electrodes

Lanthanated tungsten can be utilized for DC welding applications with astounding bend dependability at low amperages while keeping up with its sharp point well and insignificant consumption rate in high amperage circumstances. 

2% lanthanide tungsten can likewise be utilized in the AC recurrence to weld aluminum while giving an exceptionally decent curve and a low consume-off pace of the terminal. They blend the most desirable characteristics between created terminals and thoriated tungsten for DC and zirconiated for AC. 

Lanthanated tungsten terminals (AWS arrangement EWLa-1.5) contain 97.80 percent tungsten and nearly 2 percent lanthanum and are known as 2 percent lanthanide. These anodes have astounding curve beginning, a low burnoff rate, great curve steadiness, and astounding reignition attributes—a large number of similar benefits as created anodes. Lanthanated cathodes additionally share the conductivity qualities of 2% thoriated tungsten. Now and again, 1.5 percent lanthanide can supplant 2% thoriated without making huge welding program changes. Lanthanated tungsten anodes are great, assuming you need to improve your welding abilities. 

In contrast to thoriated tungsten, these anodes are reasonable for AC welding. The expansion of 2 percent lanthanum builds the most extreme current-conveying limit by around 50% for a given terminal size.

Choosing Between Thoriated Tungsten And Lanthanated Tungsten

Selecting between thoriated tungsten and lanthanide tungsten is based on the following factors:

• Considering environmental and safety factors: considering environmental and safety factors is crucial in selecting between thoriated and lanthanated tungsten. For instance, thoriated tungsten contains mildly radioactive thorium oxide, which requires careful handling, storing, and dumping to prevent health and environmental risks. Lanthanated tungsten, on the other hand, contains non-radioactive lanthanum oxide. As a result, it becomes the safer choice among the two.

• Performance: In TIG welding, both thoriated tungsten and lanthanide tungsten perform exceptionally outstanding. In some DC welding projects, thoriated tungsten works amazingly, but in terms of superior performance, safety, and environmental benefits, most welders prefer lanthanide tungsten.

• Price: Selecting between both tungstens also depends on their cost. Thoriated tungsten is less expensive when compared to lanthanated tungsten which costs slightly higher.