BOC Smootharc TIG185 AC/DC, Operating Manual, Page: 11 / 32

2.6 Non consumable tungstens
Tungsten Electrode Selector Chart
Thickness range Desired results
Welding
current Electrode type Shielding gas Tungsten performance characteristics
Aluminium alloys and Magnesium alloys
All General purpose ACHF Pure
(EW-P)
Argon Balls easily. Low cost. Tends to spit at higher currents. Used for non-
critical welds only.
Zirconiated
(EW-Zr)
Argon Balls well. Takes higher current, with less spitting and with better arc
starts and arc stability than pure tungsten.
2% Thoriated
(EW-Th2)
75% Argon/
25% Helium Higher current range and stability. Better arc starts, with lower tendency
to spit.
Medium erosion.
Only thin sections Control
penetration
DCRP 2% Ceriated
(EW-Ce2)
Argon
Helium Lowest erosion rate. Widest current range. AC or DC. No spitting. Best
arc starts and stability.
Only thick sections Increase
penetration or
travel speed
DCSP 2% Thoriated
(EW-Th2)
75% Argon/
25% Helium Best stability at medium currents. Good arc starts. Medium tendency to
spit.
Medium erosion rate.
2% Ceriated
(EW-Ce2)
Helium Low erosion rate. Wide current range. AC or DC. No spitting. Consistent
arc starts.
Good stability.
Copper alloys, Cu-NI alloys and Nickel alloys
All General purpose DCSP 2% Thoriated
(EW-Th2)
75% Argon/
25% Helium Best stability at medium currents. Good arc starts. Medium tendency to
spit.
Medium erosion rate.
2% Ceriated
(EW-Ce2)
75% Argon/
25% Helium Low erosion rate. Wide current range. AC or DC. No spitting. Consistent
arc starts.
Good stability.
Only thin sections Control
penetration
ACHF Zirconiated
(EW-Zr)
Argon Use on lower currents only. Spitting on starts. Rapid erosion rates at
higher currents.
Only thick sections Increase
penetration or
travel speed
DCSP 2% Ceriated
(EW-Ce2)
75% Argon/
25% Helium Low erosion rate. Wide current range. AC or DC. No spitting. Consistent
arc starts.
Good stability.
Mild Steels, Carbon Steels, Alloy Steels, Stainless Steels and Titanium alloys
All General purpose DCSP 2% Thoriated
(EW-Th2)
75% Argon/
25% Helium Best stability at medium currents. Good arc starts. Medium tendency to
spit.
Medium erosion rate.
2% Ceriated
(EW-Ce2)
75% Argon/
25% Helium Low erosion rate. Wide current range. AC or DC. No spitting. Consistent
arc starts.
Good stability.
2% Lanthanated
(EWG-La2)
75% Argon/
25% Helium Lowest erosion rate. Widest current range on DC. No spitting. Best DC arc
starts and stability.
Only thin sections Control
penetration
ACHF Zirconiated
(EW-Zr)
Argon Use on lower current only. Spitting on starts. Rapid erosion rates at
higher currents.
Only thick sections Increase
penetration or
travel speed
DCSP 2% Ceriated
(EW-Ce2)
75% Argon/
25% Helium Low erosion rate. Wide current range. No spitting. Consistent arc starts.
Good stability.
2% Lanthanated
(EWG-La2)
Helium Lowest erosion rate. Highest current range. No spitting. Best DC arc starts
and stability.
11 BOC Smootharc TIG 185 AC/DC Operating Manual