Tungsten electrodes are used during arc welding with the Tungsten Inert gas (TIG) process or when plasma welding. In both processes, the electrode, arc, and weld pool are protected from atmospheric contamination by an inert gas.
A tungsten electrode is used because it can withstand very high temperatures with minimal melting or erosion. Electrodes are made by powder metallurgy and are formed to size after sintering.
TIG welding electrodes usually contain small quantities of other metallic oxides which can offer the following benefits :
- Increase electrode life
- Facilitate arc starting
- Increase arc stability
- Improve current-carrying capacity of the rod.
- Reduce the risk of weld contamination
Below is a table describing the differences in TIG electrode types, and you can find the full product line with us:-
| Electrode Type | Color Code | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Thoriated | Red | The red Thoriated type is the most used electrode for a reason. Extremely long-lasting and highly durable, these electrodes are a staple in DC welding applications. These red electrodes are best for copper alloys, nickel alloys, titanium alloys, and non-corroding steels. |
| Zirconated | White | White Zirconiated tungsten electrodes handle higher amperage levels and work well with both transformer and inverter power sources, making them an excellent alternative to the green pure tungsten electrodes for magnesium and Aluminium alloys. |
| Ceriated | Grey | Grey Ceriated electrodes are popular due to their extreme ease of striking an arc with lower amperages, and their extraordinary performance with regard to DC welding applications. They perform best with titanium alloys, copper alloys, magnesium alloys, Aluminium alloys, nickel alloys and low-alloyed steels. |
| 1.5% Lanthinated | Gold | The gold Lanthinated tungsten electrodes contain less lanthanum than their blue counterparts and are best used in DC applications. They are best for welds with titanium alloys, copper and nickel alloys. |
| 2% Lanthinated | Blue | The blue lanthanated electrodes are popular due to the relative ease of striking an arc and lower amperage required. They perform exceptionally well in both AC & DC applications and are a popular general use electrode. Blue electrodes are effective for welding Aluminium alloys, magnesium alloys, nickel and copper alloys. |
| Pure Tungsten | Green | The original green pure tungsten electrode contains at least 99.5% tungsten and delivers all of the properties classically associated with tungsten – superior conductivity, durability, and performance. Green electrodes are perfect for weld projects containing magnesium or Aluminium alloys. |
Benefits of Tungsten Electrodes
Most TIG Welding Electrodes contain small amounts of metallic oxides. These oxides significantly enhance the performance of the tungsten base material and offer several key benefits:
Increase Electrode Life:
Oxide additions help Tungsten Electrodes last longer, even during high-heat welding.
Facilitate Arc Starting:
The weld arc starts smoothly with less effort, reducing time and improving efficiency.
Increase Arc Stability:
A stable arc leads to cleaner weld beads and reduced welding defects.
Improve Current-Carrying Capacity:
Better conductivity allows the electrode to handle higher currents, especially useful in industrial applications.
Reduce the Risk of Weld Contamination:
High-purity tungsten and oxide stabilization prevent impurities from entering the weld pool.
Types of Tungsten Electrodes
Below is a simple explanation of each electrode type to help you choose the right one based on your welding needs. We supply a complete range of Tungsten Rods and electrodes for different materials and applications.
Thoriated – Red:
One of the most widely used types. Extremely durable and perfect for DC welding. Best for copper alloys, titanium alloys, nickel alloys, and non-corroding steels with strong arc stability.
Zirconated – White:
Performs well at high amperages and works on both inverter and transformer machines. Ideal for aluminium and magnesium alloys where contamination resistance is essential.
Ceriated – Grey:
Known for quick and easy arc starting, even at low amperages. Suitable for DC welding of magnesium, aluminium, nickel, titanium, and copper alloys.
1.5% Lanthanated – Gold:
Offers excellent performance in DC applications with a slightly lower lanthanum percentage. Suitable for welding titanium, nickel, and copper alloys.
2% Lanthanated – Blue:
A versatile, general-purpose electrode that works exceptionally well with both AC and DC welding. Suitable for aluminium, magnesium, copper, and nickel alloys.
Pure Tungsten – Green:
Contains at least 99.5% pure tungsten, offering excellent conductivity and durability. Best suited for AC welding of aluminium and magnesium.
Oxides Used in Tungsten Electrodes
The oxides usually added to tungsten include zirconium, thorium, lanthanum, yttrium, and cerium. These additives (1%–4%) greatly improve arc initiation and overall stability, especially during DC welding. They also reduce wear and enhance electrode performance over time.
Sizes Available: Diameters: 1.0 mm to 16 mm
Length: 150 mm
Packing: 10 pieces per box
Test Certificate: All material is supplied with a Test Certificate for quality assurance.
Why Choose Us as Your Tungsten Supplier?
Request a Quote (CTA)
Looking for bulk orders or customised requirements?
Get the best pricing for Tungsten Electrodes today.
Request a Quote
Call: 022 – 40053612
Email: kailajialloys@gmail.com
by