What is 2% Lanthanated tungsten used for?
2% Lanthanated (Blue) Blue electrodes are effective for welding aluminum alloys, magnesium alloys, nickel alloys, copper alloys, titanium alloys, low-alloyed steels, and non-corroding steels.
What color tungsten do you use 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.
What is the best tungsten for mild steel?
2% Thoriated Tungsten Electrode. The 2% thoriated (color code red) is an all-purpose tungsten electrode and it’s recommended for welding mild steel because they work well on lower temperatures, which is what you need if you don’t want the steel to warp.
How many amps can a 3 32 Tungsten handle?
3/32″ is good from about 65 – 200 amps. And 1/8″ 2% thoriated electrodes are good in the 85 – 300 amp range.
What size tungsten do I need to weld aluminum?
You often need to consider a 1/8” electrode for welding aluminum in order to get enough heat and to create a stable arc. Too small an electrode will create a sloppy weld. If you’re working on AC with a lanthanated electrode, you may be able to use a 3/16” or 3/32” electrode.
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 is GREY tungsten used for?
Grey electrodes perform well in DC applications and are great for welding titanium, copper, magnesium, aluminum, and nickel alloys, as well as non-corroding and stainless steels.
Can you weld aluminum with GREY tungsten?
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.
What color tungsten is best for carbon steel?
Ceriated (Color Code: Orange) Like thorium, it is best used to weld carbon steel, stainless steel, nickel alloys, and titanium, and in some cases it can replace 2 percent thoriated electrodes. Ceriated tungsten has slightly different electrical characteristics than thorium, but most welders can’t tell the difference.
Is purple tungsten good for aluminum?
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 stainless steel?
Tungsten Selecting the correct tungsten electrode is important to getting high-quality welds and making your welding easier. 2% Thoriated Tungsten (TT2) – Red Tip – The most common tungsten currently being used, generally utilized for DC welding of steel and stainless steel and offers good overall performance.
How do I TIG weld?
To TIG weld, start by cleaning your welding material and putting the tungsten electrode into its collet. Then clamp the parts together and put tack welds every few inches where your metals meet. Hold the TIG torch in one hand and the filler rod in the other, using the foot pedal to control the heat.
What tungsten to use for TIG welding?
Choosing a rare earth tungsten. In selecting rare earth tungsten for TIG welding, the recommended options are 2 percent ceriated, 2 percent lanthanated or 1.5 percent lanthanated. Ceriated and lanthanated tungstens hold up better for AC TIG applications than 2 percent thoriated tungsten.
What is a TIG weld?
TIG welding . ( General Engineering ) tungsten-electrode inert gas welding: a method of welding in which the arc is maintained by a tungsten electrode and shielded from the access of air by an inert gas.