tungstenselection

MAXIMIZE ARC STARTING AND IMPROVE ARC TIME
WITH HIGH-QUALITY TUNGSTEN ELECTRODES

183.84

fromSelecting the proper tungsten electrodes greatly improves weld quality and productivity while lowering costs foryour Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW/TIG) and Plasma Arc Welding (PAW) operations.

1.

CHOOSE ELECTRODES FROM A TRUSTED SOURCE

Although tungsten electrodes may look the same from one company to another, highquality tungsten has been manufactured to ensure a dense grain structure which allows forbetter migration of oxides to the tip of the electrode.
With high-quality tungsten, you’ll experience easier arc starting, improved arc time andbetter weld quality with minimized contamination. Arc-Zone.com’s ArcTime™ and Amplify™
brand electrodes are sourced from the world’s finest producers and meet or exceed ISO
6848 and AWS A5.12 standards. Arc-Zone.com­® delivers the industry’s most complete lineof premier tungsten electrodes including: ArcTime™, Amplify™, CK Worldwide™, DGP® MultiStrike™, Miller®, and Weldcraft®.

2.

DETERMINE THE BEST TUNGSTEN/TUNGSTEN ALLOY FOR YOUR APPLICATION

Since the development of the TIG welding process, many improvements have been made in
the production of electrodes. Most significantly is the addition of oxides to pure tungsten,creating tungsten alloys that provide the same level of emission as pure tungsten at much lower
temperatures, improving starting performance of the electrode, arc stability, and tip life.
Each oxide has a different physical characteristic affecting tungsten
performance. Electrodes are color coded, indicating the type of oxide used in
the mix. Note: Color-coding is not standardized for all mixes, and it varies fromthe U.S., Europe, and Japan.
For most hand-held welding operations, Arc-Zone® recommends the ArcTime™
Hybrid Tungsten Electrode. For other applications, particularly automatedwelding, the best way to determine which tungsten alloy is best suited for yourapplication is through testing. The following list is provided as a guide.

Copyright©2017, Arc-Zone.com®, Inc. All Rights Reserved

Arc-Zone.com, Inc.
2091 Las Palmas Drive, Ste. F
Carlsbad, CA 92011-1551
Tel. 1.760.931.1500 - Email: info@arc-zone.com

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ArcTime™
Hybrid All Purpose Tungsten Electrodes

This non-radioactive performance proven formula combines rare earth materials
with tungsten to produce the best all-purpose tungsten electrode on themarket. Experience reliable arc starting even after numerous ignitions.
Color Code: Sky Blue™ (US). Not std in Europe or Japan.

2% CERIATED

Suitable for low-amp, DC orbital tube, pipe, thin sheet, and small part applications. This formula offers low current capacity, low arc ignition, good arc stability and is non-radioactive.
Color Code: Orange (US). Gray (Europe and Japan).

2% ICE-T™

Radioactive tungsten formula for easy arc starting, good arc stability and current capacity, and resistance to weld poolcontamination. Vapors, grinding dust and disposal of thorium dioxide raise health, safety and environmental concerns.
Use only when contractually required by FAR specification.
Color Code: Pink

1.5% LANTHANATED

Another good general purpose non-radioactive replacement for 2% Thoriated, and similar in performance to 2% lathanated. It features excellent ignition and re-ignition properties and good service life.
Color Code: Gold (US). Not std. in Europe or Japan.

2% LANTHANATED

This formula is a good general purpose non-radioactive replacement for 2% Thoriated. It has excellent ignition performance, low-burn-off rate, excellent re-ignition, and good service life.
Color Code: Blue (US). Not std. in Europe. Yellow-Green (Japan).

2% THORIATED

This formula is a popular general purpose electrode due to the excellent arc behavior and good tip life. This is a radioactive formula, however. Vapors, grinding dust and disposal of thorium dioxide raise health, safety and environmentalconcerns. Use only when contractually required by FAR specification.
Color Code: Red (US, Europe and Japan).

1% ZIRCONIATED

Used for radiographic-quality welding where tungsten contamination must be minimized. Balls-up easily in AC applications, good arc starting and current capacity. Non-Radioactive.
Color Code: Brown (US) White (Europe). Not std. in Japan.

PURE TUNGSTEN

Pure tungsten has a high work-function which makes it difficult to start and maintain a stable arc. High burn-off rate
results in short service life.
Color Code: Green (US, Europe and Japan)

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Copyright©2017, Arc-Zone.com®, Inc. All Rights Reserved

Arc-Zone.com, Inc.
2091 Las Palmas Drive, Ste. F
Carlsbad, CA 92011-1551
Tel. 1.760.931.1500 - Email: info@arc-zone.com

3.

SELECT THE PROPER SIZE

Tungsten is generally sold in packages of 10 pieces in a variety of standard diameters from .020”(0.5mm) to .250” (6.4mm). The most common length is 7.00”(175mm) in the U.S. and 6.00” (152mm) in
Europe. The most common diameters are: 1/16” (1.6mm), 3/32” (2.4mm), I/8” (3.2mm).
Electrode diameter affects welding performance and weld bead shape. Again, the best way todetermine which tungsten is best suited for your application is through testing. However, thefollowing chart may serve as a general guide.

4.

TUNGSTEN ELECTRODE RATING FOR WELDING CURRENTS
Direct Current

Electrode Diameter

Alternating Current

Straight Polarity

Reverse Polarity

DCEN

DCEP.020” (0.5 mm)

5-2.040” (1.0 mm)

Unbalanced Wave

Balanced Wave

n/a

5-15

10-20

15-80

n/a

10-60

20-30

1/16” (1.6 mm)

70-15010-20

50-10030-80

3/32” (2.4 mm)

150-250

15-30

100-160

60-1301/8” (3.2 mm)

250-400

25-40

150-210100-180

5/32” (4.0 mm)

400-500

40-55

200-275

160-240

3/16” (4.8 mm)

500-750

55-80250-350

190-300

1/4” (6.4 mm)

750-1100

80-125325-450

325-450

Different electrode materials will vary slightly from these guidelines. Use of gases other than Argon
will also change the recommended currents. Use this chart as a general guide. Also keep in mind thatfor a given amount of amperage, larger diameter electrodes will last longer but will be harder to start.
Excessive current will cause the electrode to melt and drop off. Insufficient current will lead to an
unstable arc.
For further assistance in selecting the correct tungsten electrode for your welding application,refer to the Arc Zone Pro TIG Calculator, or contact an Arc-Zone.com® technician via email at
info@arc-zone.com, or call worldwide: 760-931-1500.

Copyright©2017, Arc-Zone.com®, Inc. All Rights Reserved

Arc-Zone.com, Inc.
2091 Las Palmas Drive, Ste. F
Carlsbad, CA 92011-1551
Tel. 1.760.931.1500 - Email: info@arc-zone.com

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tungstengrinders

TUNGSTEN GRINDER SELECTOR GUIDE

Grind
AnglesMinimumLengthDegreeScale

Tip Flat
CapableCut-Off
CapableSharpie Standard
Hand-Held
Tungsten Grinder

20º Fixed1-1/4”(31.7mm)

fixed





.040”-1/8”(1.0mm-3.2mm)

Sharpie Deluxe
Hand-Held
Tungsten Grinder

15º - 45º

1-1/4”(31.7mm)

.040”-1/8”(1.0mm-3.2mm)

Power Point DCS

Hand-Held

15º - 45º

1-1/4”(31.7mm)

Turbosharp X

Hand-Held
w/ Bench
Bracket20º - 60º

3/4”
(19mm)



Orbitalum ESG+

Hand-Held
w/ Bench
Bracket15º, 18º, 22.5º, 30ºor15º, 30º, 45º, 60º< 1/2”(12mm)

fixed

Neutrix

Hand-Held
w/ Bench
Bracket15º - 180º

1/2”
(13mm)

+

Turbo 4

Portable
Bench-Top

5º - 60º1/2”(13mm)



Piranha 2

Portable
Bench-Top

10º - 60º3/4”(19mm)Super Turbo

Portable
Bench-Top

5º - 60º1/2”(13mm)



Piranha 3A

Bench-Top

10º - 60º3/4”(19mm)



Neutra LTG

Bench
Mounted10º - 50º1/2”(13mm)



TIG 10/175

Bench
Mounted10º - 180º13/32”(10mm)

+

+

DGP-3-V2

Grinding
Station6º - 120º0.2”
(3mm)

+



Ultima TIG

SemiPortable
Bench-Top

15º - 180º0.6”(15mm)

++

Ultima TIG-Cut

SemiPortable
Bench-Top

15º - 180º0.3”
(7mm)

+

+Tungsten Grinder

Style

+ Degree Scale = Precision Grind Angle

4/4Copyright©2017, Arc-Zone.com®, Inc. All Rights Reserved|

+ Tip Flat = Precision Tip Flat

DustCollection

Tungsten Diameters

fully
enclosed.040”-1/8”(1.0mm-3.2mm)

fully
enclosed.040”-1/4”(1.0mm-6.4mm)

optional
enclosure.040”-5/32”(1.0mm-4.0mm )fully
enclosed.040”-5/32”(1.0mm-4.0mm )semienclosed.040”-5/32”(1.0mm-4.0mm )semienclosed.040”-3/32”(1.0mm-2.4mm)

semienclosed

1/16”-5/32”(1.0mm-4.0mm)

semienclosed.040”-3/16”(1.0mm-4.8mm)

fully
enclosed.040”-3/16”(1.0mm-4.8mm)

optional
vacuum.040”-3/16”(1.0mm-4.8mm)

+vacuum.040”-3/16”(1.0mm-4.8mm)

fully
enclosed.040”-3/16”(1.0mm-4.8mm)

fully
enclosed.040”-5/32”(1.0mm-4.0mm)

+



+|

 + Cut Off = Precision Cut Off

Arc-Zone.com, Inc.
2091 Las Palmas Drive, Ste. F
Carlsbad, CA 92011-1551
Tel. 1.760.931.1500 - Email: info@arc-zone.com