28
tUngsten electrode characteristics
technical inforMation chart
tUngsten
color code
characteristics
pure
green
provides good arc stability for ac welding. reasonably good resistance to
contamination. lowest current carrying capacity. least expensive. Maintains a
balled end. Used on transformer based machines only
2% ceriated
gray
similar performance to thoriated tungsten. easy arc starting, good arc stability, long
life. possible replacement for thoriated.
2% thoriated
red
easier arc starting. higher current capacity. greater arc stability. high resistance to
weld pool contamination. difficult to maintain balled end on ac.
1.5% lanthanated
gold
similar performance to thoriated tungsten. easy arc starting, good arc stability, long
life, high current capacity. 1.5% possible replacement for thoriated. 2% possible
replacement for pure.
2% lanthanated
Blue
.8% Zirconiated
White
excellent for ac welding due to favorable retention of balled end, high resistance
to contamination, and good arc starting. preferred when tungsten contamination of
weld is intolerable. possible replacement for pure.
layZr™
chartruese*
Best for use on automated or robotic applications. runs cooler than 2% thoriated
with longer life. low to medium amperage range.
electrode
diaMeter
cUp siZe
Welding cUrrent (aMps) tUngsten type
argon floW ferroUs Metals
argon floW alUMinUM
ac pure
ac thoriated
dcsp pure
dcsp
thoriated
standard Body
cfh (l/Mn)
gas lens Body
cfh (l/Mn)
standard Body
cfh (l/Mn)
gas lens Body
cfh (l/Mn)
.020”
(0.5mm)
3, 4, or 5
5-15
5-20
5-15
5-20
5-8 (3-4)
5-8 (3-4)
5-8 (3-4)
5-8 (3-4)
.040”
(1.0mm)
4 or 5
10-60
15-80
15-20
20-80
5-10 (3-5)
5-8 (3-4)
5-12 (3-6)
5-10 (3-5)
1/16”
(1.6mm)
4, 5, or 6
50-100
70-150
70-130
80-150
7-12 (4-6)
5-10 (3-5)
8-15 (4-7)
7-12 (4-6)
3/32”
(2.4mm)
6, 7, or 8
100-160
140-235
150-220
150-250
10-15 (5-7)
8-10 (4-5)
10-20 (5-10)
10-15 (5-7)
1/8”
(3.2mm)
7, 8, or 10
150-210
220-325
220-330
240-350
10-18 (5-9)
8-12 (4-6)
12-25 (6-12)
10-20 (5-10)
5/32”
(4.0mm)
8 or 10
200-275
300-425
375-475
400-500
15-25 (7-12)
10-15 (5-7)
15-30 (7-14)
12-25 (6-12)
3/16”
(4.8mm)
8 or 10
250-350
400-525
475-800
475-800
20-35 (10-17)
12-25 (6-12)
25-40 (12-19)
15-30 (7-14)
1/4”
(6.4mm)
10
325-700
500-700
750-1000
700-1000
25-50 (12-24)
20-35 (10-17)
30-55 (14-26)
25-45 (12-21)
*substitute for purple (same oxide blend).
for pure helium shielding gas, double flow rates shown. for argon-helium mixes with below 30% helium content, use figures shown. always adjust gas flows to accommodate best
shielding results.
