Tungsten electrode refers to the varieties of the TIG welding rods that are used for TIG weldings. The weldings make the world innovative, and new tools, new products along new techniques of welding help the welder to stable weld which looks pleasant.
Selection of the right tungsten rod is essential, which will depend on the task. In regard to the task, the welder is supposed to decide the size of the rod, the material to be linked, the power source utilized, and the thickness of the material. The tungsten electrode is available in different colors and has been selected for various rods used for TIG welding.
How to Select the Tungsten Electrode?
Firstly we had to know the various types of electrodes used. The rods have varieties such as pure tungsten, Lanthalated tungsten, ceriated tungsten, zirconiated tungsten, and thoriated tungsten.
Below is the chart so that one can easily select or can easily buy tungsten welding rods:
| TIG Mode | Tungsten Type | Color | Inverter Friendly |
|---|---|---|---|
| AC | PURE | Green | NA |
| DC OR AC/DC | CERIATED | Grey | YES |
| DC OR AC/DC | LANTHANATED | Gold | YES |
| DC OR AC/DC | LANTHANATED | Blue | YES |
| DC | THORIATED | Red | YES |
| AC | ZIRCONIATED | Brown | NA |
| DC OR AC/DC | CERIATED | Orange | YES |
Pure Tungsten:
It contains a lower thermal conductivity and a higher risk of pollute, which is the reason why it is not preferable among welders.
Thoriated tungsten:
The fact that this rod is continuously losing its radioactivity makes the welders use it less than other rods. This is one more reason industries are shifting towards other types like Ceriated, Lathanated, and rare earth tungsten.
Ceriated Tungsten:
This is a better rod for welding steel components because some of its features include a stable arc, improved performance at lower amperages, and a lower burn-off rate.
Lanthanated Tungsten:
This electrode provides stability and longevity in welding operations because it has the same characteristics as ceriated tungsten. It is well known for its excellent starting arc capabilities.
Rare Earth Tungsten:
The rare Earth Tungsten welding rods are a mixture of tungsten and rare earth oxide. It offers resistance to weld contamination and high-temperature stability.
Tungsten Colour Coding:
The Tig Electrode Colors consists of many electrodes that are indicated by the different tig tungsten colors. Some of the rods of tungsten are Green TIG Welding Electrodes, Grey TIG Welding Electrodes, Gold TIG Welding Electrodes, Blue TIG Welding Electrodes, Red TIG Welding Electrodes, Brown TIG Welding Electrodes, Orange TIG Welding Electrodes, and also Purple Tungsten Electrodes. Let us talk about some of these welding tungsten color electrodes in brief:
Green TIG Welding Electrodes:
These electrodes are made up of pure tungsten, which is easily available in nearby hardware shops and one can easily buy Green TIG Welding Electrodes. These rods are used for welding the magnesium and aluminum materials with current supplies of AC conductors. It has become more popular among welders because it is affordable as compared to other choices. It is suitable while working with AC. This rod is perfectly chosen for the purpose of wave building. It is good for magnesium and aluminum welds, as it forms the clean balled tip that results in welding good arc stability.
Grey TIG Welding Electrodes:
These electrodes at least contain tungsten, combined with cerium. This rod is good for DC welding, and if a lower current is used, this type can also be used for AC welds.
These features have made these rods mainly famous for welding the smaller and more delicate parts. That is why welders buy Grey TIG Welding Electrodes. This rod is also known as grey ceriated electrodes. These electrodes are mainly used for welding titanium, nickel alloys, and steels. It can also be used in welding thin sheet metal, pipe fabricating, and so on.
Gold TIG Welding Electrodes:
These electrodes are made up of a minimum of tungsten and it is combined with Lanthanated. It is mainly referred to as lanthanted tungsten welding electrodes. These are mainly remarkable and is easy to buy Gold TIG Welding Electrodes due to their ability to form an excellent arc start. It has a slow consumption rate, excellent re-ignition, and arc stability. It has the same benefits and characteristics when compared to the ceriated electrodes. They work on both AC and DC applications with an electrode-negative pointed end. These rods are capable of maintaining the quite well-sharpened point. It is considered most favorable while working on the materials of stainless steel and other steel.
Red TIG Welding Electrodes:
These electrodes are made up of a minimum of tungsten and a mixture combined with thorium. A welder can buy Red TIG Welding Electrodes for performing, maintaining, and establishing a sharp edge. These rods are good for working with materials of steel and metals. Due to the presence of thorium, it enhances the arc stability, improves the electrode’s electron emission qualities, and enables the welders to maintain or increase the current capacity. As they are able to work below of their melting point, they achieve a lower burn rate or consumption rate. This is a long-lasting electrode.
Blue TIG Welding Electrodes:
These rods are a mixture of two tungsten and lanthanum oxide which gives a similar result as red tungsten electrode color. They are popular among welders that’s the reason to buy Blue TIG Welding Electrodes because of their long lifetime and fast and easy arc ignition features. They are used for welding materials such as high and low-alloy steels, magnesium, nickel, titanium, copper, and aluminum. It is the best and most popular general-purpose rod while working on DCEN and AC welding. It provides a wide amperage range, excellent stability, and a significantly enhanced arc start.
Brown TIG Welding Electrodes:
These electrodes are made up of a minimum of tungsten and zirconium which makes them resist cracking. This rod minimizes the contamination of the weld pool and establishes a stable arc. Coming to the amperage this rod is capable of carrying a current that is comparable to managed by the current managed by thoriated electrodes. It has high resistance to contamination, has good retention of the balled tip, is best for working on AC welding, provides a stable arc, and is highly resistant to tungsten spitting that is why welders Buy Brown TIG welding electrodes.
Orange TIG Welding Electrodes:
These electrodes are made up of a mixture containing a minimum percent of tungsten and an amount of cerium in it. This rod performs well when working with DC welding at a lower current. But can also be used in the AC processes. It has become more popular in applications such as orbital tube and pipe fabricating, welding small and delicate parts, and thin sheet metal work because of its excellent arc at low amperages. As thorium, it is best for welding carbon steels, titanium, nickel alloys, and stainless steel. It has the same characteristics as compared to ceriated tungsten electrodes. Because of their features and properties welders buy Orange TIG Welding Electrodes
Conclusion
In the above text, we have seen about the TIG welding rods and discussed their types, and color-coded tungsten welding rods in brief. There are many choices for Gas tungsten arc welding rods, welders have to choose an appropriate type and diameter for the welding based on their work, especially when considering what color tungsten for stainless steel. This choice can impact the quality and precision of the weld, so it’s important to select the correct tungsten rod based on the material being welded and the specific requirements of the job.
