Tungsten Electrodes for TIG
Tungsten electrodes for TIG welding are produced through powder metallurgy, by adding a small percentage (0.3–5%) of rare earth metals such as cerium, thorium, lanthanum, zirconium, or yttrium to the tungsten matrix, and subsequently processed under high pressure. Diameters range from 0.25 to 6.4 mm, with standard lengths between 75 and 600 mm; the most common sizes are 1.0 – 1.6 – 2.4 – 3.2 mm. The tip shape is crucial: with direct current (DCSP) it must be sharpened, while with alternating current it naturally forms a spherical shape.
Ceriated Tungsten Electrodes
|
Grade |
Color |
Product |
Advantages |
Application |
|
WC20 |
|
 |
Non-radioactive |
DC welding at low current |
Lanthanated Tungsten Electrodes
|
Grade |
Color |
Advantages |
Application |
|
WL10 |
Black Gold Sky Blue |
Better mechanical cutting performance Improved creep resistance |
Welding operations in AC |
| WL15 | |||
| WL20 |
Thoriated Tungsten Electrodes
|
Grade |
Color |
Product |
Advantages |
Application |
|
WT10 |
Yellow Red Purple |
 |
Low electronic functionality |
Widely used in DC welding |
| WT20 |
||||
|
WT30 WT40 |
Orange |
Zirconiated Tungsten Electrodes
|
Grade |
Color |
Product |
Advantages |
Application |
|
WZ3 |
Brown White |
 |
Zirconiated tungsten electrodes provide excellent welding performance in AC environments. In particular, under high current load conditions, the superior performance of zirconiated tungsten electrodes is unmatched compared to other types. |
Welding operations in AC |
|
WZ8 |
Yttriated Tungsten Electrodes
| Grade |
Color |
Product |
Advantages |
Application |
|
WY |
Blue |
 |
During welding, the arc beam remains tight and compressed, with deep penetration at medium and high currents. |
Mainly used in military and aerospace industries |
Fabrication process
