So, those in the know, whats the difference between thoriated or zirconiated tungsten electrode for tig welding?
David
From thewelderswarehouse:
quote:
Two types of Tungsten Tig Electrode are available, Thoriated (red tip) for DC applications and Zirconiated (white tip) for AC applications. When AC welding the arc will cause the tungsten to "ball" at the end. The diameter of this ball should not exceed the diameter of the tungsten, if it does a larger tungsten should be used. When DC welding the tungsten should be ground to a point. This point should be as sharp as possible with the grinding lines running from the point, down the length, NEVER around the point.
According to though This their is a small chance your gonna change into the
hulk
There are all-purpose tungsten available which are not radioactive, not sure who supplies them in U.K. but arctime sell them in U.S.
Zirconiated for welding alloy, Thoriated for ferrous.
David, your avatars brighten my day...
Thank you gentlemen 
Glad you like the new one 
(the same pic is currently my girfriends msn pic )
If you ever work in the defence game, your security clearance interview is gonna be interesting...
Que?
I am using ceriated electrodes which are suitable for both steel and aluminium. I believe that there is less of a health risk with these.
I hope 907 will be able to give the definitive answer regarding their respective merits.
John
quote:
Originally posted by ed_crouch
If you ever work in the defence game, your security clearance interview is gonna be interesting...
quote:
Originally posted by John Bonnett
I am using ceriated electrodes which are suitable for both steel and aluminium. I believe that there is less of a health risk with these.
I hope 907 will be able to give the definitive answer regarding their respective merits.
John
Hi Paul
Your pic clearly shows the blueing on the electrode. Would you say then that ceriated is inferior to thoriated and zirconiated and that it would be
best to have both types depending on what you are going to weld?
alb
John
Hi John
The pic was taken just after dawn this morning on the dining room windowsill with no flash.
There's a pic below that's been through Photoshop to give a true colour.
I don't think it's that critical what tungsten is used as long as your welder gives a nice ball on the end.
My Miller will ball up a thoriated tungsten and weld perfectly OK on ally.
Thorium and zirconium are added to reduce vapourisation of the tip but unless your welding all day this is not relevant to Locosters.
The correct electrode for the job is supposed to make arc striking easier so this may help those with low powered h/f circuits.
There are other more important things to consider, like what filler rod to use for instance, and in my case,
how the hell do I stop my hand from shaking?
Atb
Paul G
Rescued attachment IMGP1503-s-cc.jpg
quote
how the hell do I stop my hand from shaking?
You're obviously not drinking enough!!
Thanks Paul
Now all I have to do is get back into it, must find a load of stuff to weld up
quote:
Originally posted by John Bonnett
quote
how the hell do I stop my hand from shaking?
You're obviously not drinking enough!!
those ceriated ones are grey ended aren't they Paul? I bought some and can't remember what the buggers are now!
As you say, I seem to be able to ball up the end of any of them if I choose to!
I'm sure I remember the chap at my welding suppliers saying that most of the big places he supplies use the grey ceriated ones for everything now
Yup, but grey sounds sooo boring.
I prefer "Wild Goose"
Paul G