Thorium (Color Code: Red) Thorium Tungsten Electrode (AWS Classification EWTh-2) contains Minimum 97.30% tungsten and 1.70 to 2.20% thorium and is called 2% thorium. They are the most commonly used electrodes today, favored for their longevity and ease of use.

What is Thorium Tungsten used for?

Thorium tungsten electrodes are widely used because they do a good job of welding And long lasting and very easy to use. Compared with pure tungsten electrodes, the operating temperature of thoriated tungsten electrodes is much lower than its melting temperature.

What is 2% tungsten for?

Not radioactive. 2% Cerium Tungsten is best used for AC (a/c) or DC (d/c) applications using inverter- or transformer-based constant current power supplies. Suitable for low alloy steel, non-corrosion steel, aluminum alloy, magnesium alloy, titanium alloy, nickel alloy, copper alloy.

What is 4% thoriated tungsten for?

Thorium tungsten is the most commonly used in the United States.This tungsten is mainly used for DC welding. It has low work function and provides high load and amperage capability.

What is red TIG tungsten?

2% Thorium (Red) Electrode

Thorium electrodes perform well in DC applications and are ideal for Welding copper alloys, nickel alloys, titanium alloys and stainless steel.

TIG Tungsten Electrode – 2% Thorium, Lanthanum, Cerium

35 related questions found

What color of tungsten is best for stainless steel?

Cerium (Color code: orange)

Like thorium, it is best for welding carbon steel, stainless steel, nickel alloys and titanium, and in some cases it can replace 2% thorium-containing electrodes. The electrical properties of cerium tungsten are slightly different from thorium, but most welders cannot tell the difference.

What tungsten is best for stainless steel?

What color tungsten should be used for stainless steel? Thorium red electrode Ideal for stainless steel welding. It provides optimum heat generation, bead formation and weld penetration for smoother welds.

What tungsten is used for aluminum?

use one Pure tungsten or zirconium tungsten electrodes When AC welding aluminum. Do not use 2% thoriated tungsten electrodes. Make sure to use a tungsten electrode with a diameter large enough to carry the welding current you plan to use. Remember that AC welding requires larger diameter tungsten electrodes.

Is tungsten radioactive?

Thorium for 2% tungsten thorium is a radioactive element It may therefore pose a danger to the health and the environment of those who come into contact with it.

Is tungsten toxic?

Given its metabolic and toxic properties, tungsten has been the subject of numerous in vivo experiments and in vitro studies. However, Tungsten and its compounds are not considered to be very toxic to humans. Most of the available human toxicological information comes from chronic occupational exposure.

What does the color of tungsten mean?

Color codes and their meanings

The main colors/varietals of TIG electrodes and their abbreviations from the American Welding Society are as follows: Green (EWP) = pure tungstenOrange (EWCe-2) = 2% cerium, red (EWTh-2) = 2% thorium, gold (EWLa-1.5) = 1.5% lanthanide, brown (EWZr-1) = 1% zirconium.

What color of tungsten is best for aluminum?

If you are welding aluminum with AC TIG for the first time, we recommend 2% on 3/32. Two solid options include Blue Demon or Weldcraft. Ceriated is the most popular choice because it is prone to arcing at low currents.

Why add thorium to tungsten?

Due to their long life and ease of use, 2% thoriated tungsten electrodes are the most commonly used electrodes today. … during the manufacturing process, Thorium is uniformly dispersed throughout the electrode. This uniformity allows the electrode to maintain a sharp edge – an ideal electrode shape for welding thin steel.

Would you grind tungsten for aluminum?

For welding aluminium, TIG is usually used. Occasionally, welders may also use MIG for aluminum welding. Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) welding requires non-consumable tungsten electrodes. … traditionally used pointed tungsten electrodes to strike the arc, but now we know spherical tungsten produce better results.

Is purple tungsten good for aluminum?

Rare Earth Mixture (Purple)

When is the best time to use Welded aluminum alloymagnesium alloys, titanium alloys, nickel alloys, copper alloys, low alloy steels and non-corroding steels.

Can you use violet tungsten for aluminum?

Time to use E3Volve

This rare earth tungsten has excellent ignition characteristics and consistent weldability. They are versatile and suitable for all applications within the entire AC and DC welding range of unalloyed and high-alloy steels, aluminium, titanium, nickel, copper and magnesium alloys.

Which is stronger, MIG or TIG?

Bottom line. TIG welding Produces a cleaner, more precise weld than MIG welding or other arc welding methods, making it the strongest weld. That said, different welding jobs may require different methods, and while TIG is generally stronger and higher quality, you should use MIG or other methods if the job requires it.

Can stainless steel be TIG welded?

Stainless steel can be metal shielded arc welding (MIG), gas Tungsten Arc Welding (TIG) and stick welding, each of these processes will produce slightly different results.

Can stainless steel be welded with pure tungsten?

why use green, pure tungsten electrode? They perform well in AC sine wave welding and form a solid spherical tip that produces a stable arc. … some welders find it a good replacement for thorium electrodes as it can weld carbon steel, stainless steel, nickel alloys and titanium.

What tungsten do I use for mild steel?

2% Thorium Tungsten Electrode.2% thorium (color code red) is a general purpose tungsten electrode recommended for welding mild steel as they work well at lower temperatures, which is what you need if you don’t want the steel to warp.

What electrodes are best for stainless steel?

309 or 312 SMAW electrodes Ideal for rod welding stainless steel, especially for maintenance or repair applications. It has high crack resistance and good strength and can often join stainless steels already in service, even if the exact material grade is unknown.

How many amps does it take to weld 1/4 aluminum?

Knowing these, you can easily determine how many amps a welder needs to weld aluminum perfectly.A common rule of thumb is that you will need You need 1 amp for every 0.001 inch of metal you are soldering when other variables are unchanged.