What is tungsten and should I buy it?
Tungsten, also known as wolfram, is a chemical element found on the periodic table. It gets its name from a Swedish phrase meaning ‘heavy stone’, indicative of the metal’s weight and strength. Tungsten is often described using superlatives. Here are some: Tungsten has the highest melting point of all metals; It is the heaviest metal used in jewelry
Which is better tungsten or stainless steel?
Tungsten
- The biggest attraction of tungsten is that it will maintain its shape. You will not have to worry that your ring will wear down or bend
- It is slightly expensive as compared to stainless steel but affordable.
- The durability of the tungsten ring makes it worth your money.
What does tungsten taste like?
Tungsten metal has a nickel-white to grayish lustre. Among metals it has the highest melting point, at 3,410 °C (6,170 °F), the highest tensile strength at temperatures of more than 1,650 °C (3,002 °F), and the lowest coefficient of linear thermal expansion (4.43 × 10 −6 per °C at 20 °C [68 °F]). Tungsten is ordinarily brittle at room temperature.
What is tungsten and what is it used for?
Tungsten is commonly used to make hard metal alloys such as high speed steel. Metals alloys with tungsten are often used to make turbine blades, rocket nozzles and metal coatings. It is also used in the creation of armor piercing bullets, cannon shells, grenades and missiles to create supersonic shrapnel.
Which tungsten is best for stainless steel?
What color Tungsten should be used for stainless steel? The thoriated red electrode is ideal for stainless steel welds. It provides the optimal heat generation, bead formation, and weld penetration to give smoother welds.Feb 1, 2022
What color tungsten do you use for stainless steel?
red TIG tungstenWhat color tungsten is for stainless steel? The red TIG tungsten is the most commonly used electrode because the 2% thorium mixed with the tungsten is durable and versatile. The thorium allows for easier arc starts and higher current-carrying capacity.Jan 19, 2022
What is 2% Lanthanated tungsten used for?
2% Lantanated Blue electrodes perform exceptionally well in both AC & DC applications and perfect for welding aluminum alloys, magnesium alloys, nickel alloys, copper alloys, titanium alloys, low-alloyed steels, and stainless steels.
Can you use purple tungsten for stainless steel?
Tungsten electrodes – Purple is the new red In some places they are still considered the best solution for welding with direct current of high-alloy and stainless steels.Oct 23, 2020
Which welding is suitable for stainless steel?
Stainless steel can be welded with shielded metal arc welding (MIG), gas tungsten arc welding (TIG) and stick welding, and each of these processes will yield a slightly different result.
Is tungsten in stainless steel?
The obtained combined mechanical, structural and shielding properties indicated that the modified austenitic stainless steel sample containing 1.79% tungsten and 0.64% molybdenum has preferable properties among all other investigated samples in comparison with the standard SS316.
What is GREY tungsten?
The 2% Ceriated Tungsten from CK is best at low amperage ranges. It offers good ignition and re-ignition properties, long service life and excellent arc stability. Features: Non-Radioactive.
What is the blue tungsten?
Blue Tungsten Blue is made with tungsten and lanthanum with lanthanum being at 2%, giving it the name 2% lanthanated tungsten. 2% (blue) can be used with both AC and DC. It has a simple arc for startup and warming up and can be used with both AC and DC with no issues.
What kind of tungsten do you use for aluminum?
Use a pure tungsten or zirconiated tungsten electrode when AC welding aluminum. Don't use a 2 percent thoriated tungsten electrode. Make sure you use a tungsten electrode large enough in diameter to carry the welding current you plan to use.Feb 27, 2003
What is purple tip tungsten for?
This rare earth tungsten offers excellent ignition characteristics and consistent welding properties. They are universal and suitable for all applications in the whole range of AC and DC welding of non-alloyed and high-alloyed steel, aluminium, titanium, nickel, copper and magnesium alloys.
What is the best tungsten for mild steel?
Best Tungsten for TIG Welding Mild SteelOverall Best: YESWELDER Tungsten Electrode 2% Lanthanated 3/32" x 7"Runner Up: MTS Tungsten Electrodes 2% Lanthanated (3/32")Best for Beginners: PATRIOT TUNGSTEN 2% Lanthanated 3/32" x 7"Best for Professionals: CK 2% Lanthanated Tungsten Electrode 3/32" X 7"Feb 1, 2022
What tungsten do I use for mild steel?
2% Thoriated Tungsten Electrodes2% Thoriated Tungsten Electrodes – Red Tipped Containing 1.7% to 2.2% thorium oxide, this radioactive tungsten electrode works well with mild steel, stainless steel and other non-corroding metals. Red-tipped tungsten electrodes fall in the mid-range for amperage and erosion, as well as spitting tendencies.
What is a purple tungsten welding electrode?
Need the capability of thoriated electrodes but with the added safety of something non-radioactive? A purple tungsten welding electrode might be your best bet. Made from a blending of three unique oxides, these electrodes boast improved ignition rates, a cooler run, and no radiation.
What is a red tungsten electrode?
Red tungsten electrodes are a commonly used electrode revered for both its ease of use (ideal for novices), and its durability. Red Thoriated electrodes are made from a minimum of 97.3% tungsten and 1.7-2.2% thorium. This combination is referred to as ‘2% thoriated’. An even distribution of tungsten throughout the electrode aids in establishing ...
What are some questions about tig welding?
One of the most common questions we hear is, "How do I choose the right tungsten for my TIG weld?".
What is a tig welding electrode?
TIG welding electrodes are color classified based on the composition of the electrode. This makes them easy to find and saves you time on the job. With many colors to choose from it is easy to get overwhelmed.
What is the best material for DC welding?
Red tungsten is also preferred for DC welding using straight polarity or electrode negative on nickel, steel, stainless steel and titanium. Word of Caution: Thorium is a radioactive material. Always follow proper safety protocols and manufacturer’s instructions, as well as the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS).
Why are tungsten electrodes important?
These electrodes are vital to the process , channeling the current necessary to establish your arc. Tungsten electrodes are often alloyed with a range of different metals, with varying sizes and types required for specific materials and welds.
What is a gold electrode made of?
Made from a minimum of 97.8% tungsten combined with between 1.3-1.7% lanthanum (lanthana), these ‘gold’ electrodes are often referred to as ‘lanthanated’. Gold electrodes are most notable for their ability to produce an excellent arc start, slow consumption rate, arc stability and excellent re-ignition.
What is a thorium oxide electrode?
Thorium oxide electrodes are ideal for use with a DC power supply. They have high melting points and can take significant amounts of heat with minimal melting. They are suitable for use on thinner steel plates, as they have average corrosion rates and moderate amperage requirements.
What electrode is used for aluminum welding?
A pure tungsten electro de or a zirconiated tungsten electrode works best with AC aluminum welds. If you’re using a tungsten electrode, make sure it’s large enough in diameter to carry the welding current efficiently. An AC power supply requires the use of larger diameter electrodes to reduce resistance.
What is the best electrode for welding aluminum?
Thorium electrodes are ideal for a few particular AC welding jobs, such as thin-gauge aluminum and material less than 0.060 inches thick. They’re also the right choice for specific DC welding jobs on carbon steel, stainless steel, nickel, and titanium.
What is the best electrode for arc welding?
Thorium Oxide. Thoriated tungsten electrodes contain 97.3% tungsten and 1.7-2.2% thorium oxide. They have low radioactivity and high current carrying ability, making them highly suitable for arc welding procedures. They are long-lasting and easy to use, which is an added advantage. Thorium oxide electrodes are ideal for use with a DC power supply.
What is tungsten used for?
What Tungsten to Use for TIG Welding. TIG stands for Tungsten Inert Welding, and in a more technical sense, it’s known as Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW). The process utilizes a non-consumable tungsten electrode that relays current to the welding arc. There are various tungsten electrodes that you can use for the process, ...
What is the purpose of lanthanum?
Lanthanum enhances the electrodes’ current carrying capacity by 50%. Striking an arc is relatively more comfortable with Lanthanum electrodes, and these electrodes have amazing arc stability, excellent re-ignition properties, and low burn-off rates. They are useful when it comes to welding the following materials:
What is the purpose of choosing the right welding electrode?
Choosing the right electrode is a critical part of an efficient welding procedure. The type and size of the electrode vary with the kind of metal and the joint. In this article, we will mention a few popular electrode choices and their uses.
What is a balled tip?
A balled tip generally is used on pure tungsten and zirconiated electrodes and is suggested for use with the AC process on sine wave and conventional square wave GTAW machines.
What is thoriated tungsten?
Thoriated tungsten electrodes (AWS classification EWTh-2) contain a minimum of 97.30 percent tungsten and 1. 70 to 2.20 percent thorium and are called 2 percent thoriated. They are the most commonly used electrodes today and are preferred for their longevity and ease of use. Thorium increases the electron emission qualities of the electrode, which improves arc starts and allows for a higher current-carrying capacity. This electrode operates far below its melting temperature, which results in a considerably lower rate of consumption and eliminates arc wandering for greater stability. Compared with other electrodes, thoriated electrodes deposit less tungsten into the weld puddle, so they cause less weld contamination.
What is tungsten used for?
Tungsten is a rare metallic element used for manufacturing gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) electrodes. The GTAW process relies on tungsten's hardness and high-temperature resistance to carry the welding current to the arc. Tungsten has the highest melting point of any metal, 3,410 degrees Celsius.
What is rare earth tungsten?
Rare-earth tungsten electrodes (AWS classification EWG) contain unspecified additives of rare-earth oxides or hybrid combinations of different oxides, but manufacturers are required to identify each additive and its percentage on the package. Depending on the additives, desired results can include a stable arc in both AC and DC processes, greater longevity than thoriated tungsten, the ability to use a smaller-diameter electrode for the same job, use of a higher current for a similar-sized electrode, and less tungsten spitting.
What is the lanthanated tungsten electrode?
Lanthanated tungsten electrodes (AWS classification EWLa-1.5) contain a minimum of 97.80 percent tungsten and 1.30 percent to 1.70 percent lanthanum, or lanthana, and are known as 1.5 percent lanthanated. These electrodes have excellent arc starting, a low
What is the color of tungsten?
Pure Tungsten (Color Code: Green) Pure tungsten electrodes (AWS classification EWP) contain 99.50 percent tungsten, have the highest consumption rate of all electrodes, and typically are less expensive than their alloyed counterparts. These electrodes form a clean, balled tip when heated and provide great arc stability for AC welding ...
Why use pointed tungsten?
Using pointed tungsten for higher-current applications is not recommended, because the higher current can blow off the tip of the tungsten and cause weld puddle contamination.
