MetFab - Air Products Welder's Handbook - Flipbook - Page 19
Tungsten Electrodes
Pure tungsten electrodes can be used
however, thoriated and zirconiated types
give easier starting and better arc stability
and are therefore the preferred choice.
Ceriated or lanthanated tungstens are also
available (see table below.)
Thoriated electrodes contain a radioactive
material and may pose a health and
environmental risk as the dust from
grinding these electrodes is particularly
hazardous if ingested or inhaled. They can
be replaced by electrodes with lanthanum,
cerium, yttrium and zirconium.
Metal
Tungsten
Type of Current
AC
Pure
Zirconiated
Ceriated
Thoriated
Lanthanated
AC Squarewave
Zirconiated
Ceriated
Thoriated
Lanthanated
Copper, copper alloys
DCEN
Ceriated
Thoriated
Magnesium alloys
AC
Zirconiated
Ceriated
Thoriated
Lanthanated
Plain carbon steels
DCEN
Ceriated
Thoriated
Lanthanated
Stainless steels
DCEN
Ceriated
Thoriated
Lanthanated
Aluminium,
aluminium alloys
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