TIG Electrodes

TIG Electrodes

 

TIG Electrodes

TIG Electrodes: How to Choose the Right Color and Properties for Your Welding Project TIG welding uses an unfusible electrode, which means that it doesn’t melt or become part of the weld. thus, the electrode must have a high melting point, good electrical conductivity, and resistance to corrosion and erosion.

 

Tungsten Electrodes

TIG tungsten is a hard and thick essence with the loftiest melting point of all rudiments. still, pure tungsten electrodes aren’t suitable for all operations, as they’ve low bow stability, and low current carrying capacity, and tend to form a ball-shaped tip when used with interspersing current. To ameliorate the performance of tungsten electrodes, colorful oxides are added to the tungsten base, similar to thorium, lanthanum, zirconium, and cerium. These oxides enhance the electron emigration, bow stability, and current carrying capacity of the electrodes, as well as reduce the tendency to ball up

 

To distinguish the different types of tungsten electrodes, a color law system is used, grounded on the top oxide and its chance of the total electrode mass.

Tungsten Rod The color law is generally marked on the tip of the electrode or the package.

 

Tungsten Rods Color Type Oxide- Percentage Application:

 

Tungsten Rods

 

🟢Green EWP/WP None 0% AC welding of aluminum and magnesium alloys, low cost, low performance

🟡Yellow EWTh-1/WT10 Thorium 0.8-1.2% DC welding of carbon steel, good arc starting, high radiation

🔴Red EWTh-2/WT20 Thorium 1.7-2.2% DC welding of titanium, nickel, copper, and stainless steel alloys, high performance, long life, high radiation

⚪️Grey EWCe-2/WCe20 Cerium 1.8-2.2% AC or DC welding of mild steel, stainless steel, aluminum, and copper alloys, easy arc starting, low radiation

🟡Gold EWLa-1.5/WL15 Lanthanum 1.3-1.7% AC or DC welding of mild steel, stainless steel, aluminum, and copper alloys, excellent arc stability, low radiation

🔵Blue EWLa-2/WL20 Lanthanum 1.8-2.2% AC or DC welding of mild steel, stainless steel, aluminum, and copper alloys, excellent arc stability, low radiation

🟤Brown EWZr-1/WZ8 Zirconium 0.7-0.9% AC welding of aluminum and magnesium alloys, good arc stability, low erosion

⚪️White EWG/WG Mixed Varies AC or DC welding of various metals, depending on the oxide mixture, good performance, low radiation

TIG Electrode Applications:

• • Pure Tungsten: Suitable for AC welding of aluminum and magnesium.
  • Thoriated Tungsten: Provides good arc stability and is commonly used for DC welding of stainless steel, nickel alloys, and titanium.
  • Created Tungsten: Offers good arc stability and is used for welding a variety of materials.
  • Lanthanated Tungsten: Suitable for both AC and DC welding, commonly used for non-corrosive applications.
  • Zirconiated Tungsten: Known for its high resistance to contamination and is often used for AC welding of aluminum.

 

ASK ME 

 

1 . How do I choose the right tungsten electrode for aluminum welding?

 

When selecting a tungsten electrode for aluminum welding, several factors need to be considered:

1. Electrode Diameter: The diameter of the electrode should be appropriate for the thickness of the aluminum being welded. For thin aluminum sheets, a smaller diameter electrode (such as 1/16 inch or 1.6 mm) is preferred, while thicker aluminum sections may require a larger diameter electrode (such as 3/32 inch or 2.4 mm).
2. Electrode Tip Shape: The tip of the electrode should be properly shaped to ensure optimal arc characteristics and weld quality. A pointed tip is generally used for thin aluminum sheets, while a blunt tip is preferred for thicker aluminum sections.
3. Electrode Composition: As mentioned earlier, pure tungsten electrodes are suitable for welding thin aluminum sheets, while thoriated tungsten electrodes are better suited for welding thicker aluminum sections and for applications requiring higher welding currents.

2. Can I use pure tungsten electrodes for TIG welding stainless steel?

Here are some specific reasons why pure tungsten electrodes are not ideal for TIG welding stainless steel:

1. Low Melting Point: Pure tungsten has a melting point of 3,422°C (6,192°F), which is lower than the melting point of stainless steel (1,454-1,538°C or 2,649-2,800°F). This means that pure tungsten electrodes can melt and contaminate the weld pool, leading to weld defects.
2. Poor Arc Stability: Pure tungsten electrodes tend to produce an unstable arc, which can lead to inconsistent weld quality and increased spatter. This is because pure tungsten has a high electrical resistance, which can cause the arc to wander and become unstable.
3. Reduced Weld Penetration: Pure tungsten electrodes have a lower heat input compared to alloyed tungsten electrodes. This can result in reduced weld penetration, which is important for achieving a strong and durable weld.

The choice of the electrode depends on several factors, such as the type of essence, the consistency of the material, the current opposition, the power source, the shielding gas, and the required weld quality.