Tungsten Electrodes

Tungsten Electrodes

TIG Welding

The right tungsten controls your arc.

The Problem

If your arc is unstable, wandering, or hard to start, your tungsten is usually the issue.

Wrong alloy, wrong size, or poor prep will show up immediately in TIG welding.

The Straight Answer

Use high-quality tungsten, match it to your application, and prepare it correctly.

Why Tungsten Matters

Tungsten has the highest melting point of any pure metal and excellent electrical conductivity, which makes it ideal for TIG and plasma welding electrodes. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}

It does not melt during normal welding, but it will wear over time. The quality of your tungsten directly affects arc stability, control, and weld quality.

Step 1 — Choose the Right Alloy

While pure tungsten works, alloyed tungsten performs better in most applications.

• Better arc stability
• Higher current capacity
• Less tip wear
• Longer life

Common Tungsten Types

• Pure: Best for AC, forms a ball, limited use
• Ceriated: Good for low-amperage DC
• Lanthanated: Best all-around option for AC and DC
• Thoriated: Strong for DC, high amperage (radioactive)
• Zirconiated: Excellent for AC welding
• Hybrid (EWG): Balanced performance across applications

AWS / ISO Color Guide

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Alloy	AWS Color	AWS Class	ISO Color	ISO Class
Pure	Green	EWP	Green	WP
2% Ceriated	Orange	EWCe-2	Gray	WC20
1% Lanthanated	Black	EWLa-1	Black	WL10
1.5% Lanthanated	Gold	EWLa-1.5	Gold	WL15
2% Lanthanated	Blue	EWLa-2	Sky Blue	WL20
2% Thoriated	Red	EWTh-2	Red	WT20
Zirconiated	Brown	EWZr-1	Brown	WZ3
Hybrid	Gray	EWG	—	—

Best Uses by Alloy

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Alloy	AC	DC
Pure	Yes	No
Ceriated	Limited	Yes
Lanthanated	Yes	Yes
Thoriated	Specialty	Best
Zirconiated	Best for AC	No
Hybrid	Yes	Yes

Step 2 — Choose the Right Size

Use the smallest tungsten that can safely carry your amperage. This gives better arc control and reduces cost.

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Diameter	DC Amps
0.020”	5–20
0.040”	15–80
1/16”	70–150
3/32”	150–250
1/8”	250–400
3/16”	500–750

Step 3 — Prepare the Tip Correctly

Tip shape affects arc focus and stability.

• Balled: AC welding (aluminum)
• Pointed: DC and modern AC
• Truncated: High amperage applications

Grind lengthwise, not across. Use a taper about 2–2.5 times the diameter.

Common Problems to Watch For

• Bent tungsten
• Flaking coatings
• Inconsistent diameter
• Poor surface finish
• Uneven alloy distribution

Shop Tip

If your arc is unstable, check your tungsten before changing machine settings.

Most issues come from contamination, poor grinding, or low-quality electrodes.

Bottom Line

Tungsten selection is not complicated, but it matters.

Choose the right alloy, use the correct size, and prepare it properly.

Get your tungsten right, and your arc will follow.

Arc-Zone.com, Inc. Tel. [phone] • www.arc-zone.com