What type of tungsten

Ceriated electrodes are made of If you need to weld small delicate parts or are working with thin metal sheets, pipe fabrication, or orbital tube manufacturing, then Ceriated electrodes are the right electrodes for you. Some compounds metals that they can be used with are:. They are long-lasting electrodes with excellent ignition and re-ignition capabilities.

They produce exceptionally stable arcs and can be used at low amperage ranges as well. With low erosion rates, ceriated tungsten proves better than pure tungsten as it offers better current carrying properties.

Zirconiated electrodes consist of They prove beneficial in cases when tungsten produces intolerable levels of contamination. They can handle higher amperage levels and have increased ball retention, making them excellent for magnesium and aluminum alloys. They work particularly well with AC and are highly resistant to splitting. They have high current-carrying ability and produce very stable arcs. However, unlike most other electrodes, zirconiated electrodes are not suitable for use with Direct Current.

The current flows from positive to negative or negative to positive. Smaller devices like batteries, phones, flashlights, or remote controls use a DC power source. Welders use both positive to negative as well as the other way round in their welding procedures. Using a DC supply is more beneficial than an Alternate Current supply for multiple reasons.

When using Direct Current power sources, take extra care. The danger of a magnetic field build-up is prevalent in DC welding, which can cause the arc to blow up. It is ideal for stainless steel TIG welding, vertical welding, single carbon brazing, and numerous other procedures. An AC power source alternates the current flow from positive to negative and negative to positive around times per second, depending upon the frequency of the supply. Throughout the cycle, the current keep switching direction, giving you the advantages of DC power while reducing some drawbacks.

However, one major drawback of using an AC power supply is its directional instability, which directly affects product yield. Tungsten exhibits the necessary balling properties, primarily when used with an AC power supply. However, the metal has minimal heat-resisting properties and needs to be manipulated to increase heat resistance as well as current-carrying ability.

Rare-earth, lanthanum, thorium, cerium, and zirconium add to tungsten and improve its ball maintaining capability. They help in point maintenance in the electrodes.

The production efficiency of TIG welding directly depends upon the use of an electrode, the power supply, the choice of shield gas, and the welding job. Ceriated and Lanthanated electrodes are ideal for both AC and DC welding because of their performance and because they are radiation-free. Principal Oxides: 1. Depending on the type of tungsten electrode, preparation of the tungsten consists of either a balled, pointed, or truncated shape.

A balled tip is most commonly used on a pure tungsten electrode and is suggested for use with the AC process on sine wave and conventional Square Wave TIG welders. To properly ball the end of the tungsten, apply the AC amperage recommended for the electrode diameter and the ball on the end of the tungsten will form itself. The diameter of the balled end should not exceed 1.

In any application, the type and shape of tungsten you use helps determine the arc quality and welding performance you will achieve. Each of the above types of tungsten will bring certain advantages and disadvantages. With anything, it takes time to learn how to prepare and select tungsten electrodes for the application you are using.

By following the above and with some practice, you will be able to learn how to pick the best tungsten electrode for your application and proper tungsten preparation. By Weldstar. Tips for Selecting Tungsten Electrodes July 18th, Initially introduced in the US at the beginning of the eighties, this type of electrode takes market shares on the thorium electrodes as they do not contain radioactive oxides. They can admit the same density of current as the pure tungsten electrodes, have a good lifespan, and provoke a good strike of the arc and a comparable arc stability.

This is a very polyvalent solution as you can apply them with direct or alternative current, and they are often used for all automated TIG welding applications. This tungsten is very similar to the Thorium-Tungsten. It does not involve any radioactive risk. It is less efficient than the Thorium-Tungsten. Nowadays welders prefer to use cerium or lanthanum electrodes, or a mixture of both, which do not present any radioactive risk.

Moreover, they are just as effective as thorium tungsten. This Cerium-Lanthanium-Tungsten offers an excellent compromise! Tungsten classification:. Download our handbook and learn out more about how to choose the perfect electrode for orbital TIG welding! Pure Tungsten green : This kind of electrode with limited current density, is mostly used with alternative current for welding aluminium alloys - as the small ball that is formed at the extremity of the electrode is very clean and permits to the arc to stay stable.