TUNGSTEN ELECTRODES
2% THORIATED (RED) EWTh-2/WT20
Principal Oxide: 1.7–2.2% Thorium Oxide
Radioactive. Best for use in Direct Current (D/C) applications using transformer based constant current power sources. Best for use on non corroding steels, titanium alloys, nickel alloys, copper alloys. Good D/C arc starts and stability, medium erosion rate, medium amperage range, medium tendency to spit.
0.8% ZIRCONIATED (WHITE) EWZr-8/WZ8
Principal Oxide: 0.7–0.9% Zirconium Oxide
Non-Radioactive. Best for use in Alternating Current (A/C) for aluminum alloys and magnesium alloys using inverter or transformer based constant current power sources. Balls well, handles higher amperage than pure tungsten with less pitting, better arc starts and arc stability than pure tungsten.
1.5% LANTHANATED (GOLD) EWLa-1.5/WL15
Principal Oxide: 1.3–1.7% Lanthanum Oxide
Non-Radioactive. Best for use in Direct Current (D/C) as an alternative to 2% Thoriated using inverter or transformer based constant current power sources. Best for non corroding steels, titanium alloys, nickel alloys, copper alloys. Best D/C arc starts and stability, low erosion rate, wide amperage range, no spitting.
2% CERIATED (GRAY) FORMERLY ORANGE EWCe-2/WC20
Principal Oxide: 1.8–2.2% Cerium Oxide
Non-Radioactive. Best for use in Alternating Current (A/C) or Direct Current (D/C) applications using inverter or transformer based constant current power sources. Good for low-alloyed steels, non corroding steels, aluminum alloys, magnesium alloys, titanium alloys, nickel alloys, copper alloys. Good ignition and re-ignition properties, long service life, excellent arc stability. Low erosion rate, best at low amperage range, no spitting, good D/C arc starts and stability.
PURE (GREEN) EWP/WP
Principal Oxide: None
NON-RADIOACTIVE. Good for use in Alternating Current (A/C) for aluminum alloys and magnesium alloys in low to medium amperage applications using transformer based constant current power sources only. Balls easy, tends to spit at higher amperages. Used for non-critical welds only.
2% LANTHANATED (BLUE) EWLa-2/WL20
Principal Oxide: 1.8–2.2% Lanthanum Oxide
Non-Radioactive. Best general purpose electrode for both Alternating Current (A/C) or Direct Current (D/C) using inverter or transformer based constant current power sources. Good for low-alloyed steels, non corroding steels, aluminum alloys, magnesium alloys, titanium alloys, nickel alloys, copper alloys. Good arc starts and stability, medium to high amperage range, low erosion rate.
LaYZr™ (CHARTREUSE) EWG
Principal Oxides: 1.5% Lanthanum, 0.8% Yttrium Oxides, 0.8% Zirconium
Non-Radioactive. Best for automated or robotic applications in Alternating Current (A/C) or Direct Current (D/C) due to low voltage tolerance (changes in tip to work piece distance) using inverter or transformer based constant current power sources. Good for low-alloyed steels, non corroding steels, aluminum alloys, magnesium alloys, titanium alloys, nickel alloys, copper alloys. Very stable tip geometry, runs cooler than 2% Thoriated with longer life, low to medium amperage range. Very best low amperage starts
Color Code and Alloying Elements for Various Tungsten Electrode Alloys
| Designation | Chemical Composition Impurities ≤0.1% | TIP COLOR | |||
| ISO 6848 | AWS A5.12 | OXIDE ADDITIVE | TUNGSTEN | ||
| WT20 | EWTh-2 | ThO2: 1.70–2.20% | ≥97.30% | Red |
|
| WP | EWP | . | ≥99.95% | Green |
|
| WL15 | EWLa-1.5 | LaO2: 1.30–1.70% ≥ | ≥97.80% | Gold |
|
| WC20 | EWCe-2 | CeO2: 1.80–2.20% | ≥97.30% | Gray |
|
| WL20 | EWLa-2 | La2O3: 1.80–2.20% | ≥97.30% | Blue |
|
| WZ8 | EWZr-8 | ZrO2: 0.70–0.90% | ≥98.60% | White |
|
| LaYZr | EWG | La2O3: 1.3–1.7%; ZrO2: 0.06–0.10%; Y2O3: 0.6–1.0% | ≥97.34% | Chartreuse |
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