What do the colors on tungsten mean?
Color code and what it means The main colors/varieties of TIG electrodes and their American Welding Society abbreviation are as follows: Green (EWP) = Pure Tungsten, Orange (EWCe-2) = 2% Ceriated, Red (EWTh-2) = 2% Thoriated, Gold (EWLa-1.5) = 1.5% Lanthanated, Brown (EWZr-1) = 1% Zirconiated.
What is the best tungsten to use on 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.
What is 2% 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.
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.
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.
What tungsten is red?
Thoriated (Color Code: Red) Thoriated tungsten electrodes (AWS classification EWTh-2) contain a minimum of 97.30 percent tungsten and 1.70 to 2.20 percent thorium and are called 2 percent thoriated. They are the most commonly used electrodes today and are preferred for their longevity and ease of use.
What color tungsten is best for stainless?
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 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.
