"Universal" TIG electrodes (tungstens)?

You want Zirconiated electrodes (brown color code) for aluminum. They are astoundingly better than EWP (pure Tungsten, green color code). I tried the EWP and the electrodes became contaminated, melted, spattered crud all over, and made poor welds. With the EWZr electrodes, I had vastly less trouble with contamination and started making beginner's grade welds. I can't find any grey color code in the Lincoln GTAW book. If your machine only does DC, you have little hope of doing TIG on aluminum. You need AC and continuous HF to get good results on aluminum. Pure Argon is right for Al and most other TIG applications.

Stainless can be welded with Thoriated 2% (red code) on DCEN with pure Argon shield gas. The same electrode and gas is fine for most other steels, as well.

If the radioactivity of the Thorium worries you, you can use Lanthanated electrodes in most applications where Thoriated electrodes are recommended.

Jon

Oh, yeah, web sellers. I have bought a bunch of stuff from aglevtech, and he has been very good about everything. Prices on eBay vary depending on who is bidding against you, but he is good about delivering the stuff even if it closes cheap.

Jon

My zirconiated tungstens have a white band.

IF your welder does advanced squarewave (AC balance) then if you make the balance heavy to the EN side you can use reds on aluminum from what ive been told.

That hav> Looking at some online TIG consumable sellers web sites it seems I can buy

I have lanthanated electrodes (anyone needs 3/16" electrodes?) and they are billed as pretty much universal, they can do steel and aluminum, AC or DC.

Correct. Gray or Gold banding. Lanthanated tungstens are rated for AC/DC and are just about as close to universal as can be. Stainless steel, Alum etc etc etc.

I understand that 2% is marginally better than 1.5% for alum..but most serious welders will use the slightly cheaper 1.5%.

Ive been collecting and using tungstens for a while..and while I started out using pure (green) tunstens for alum, Ive pretty much switched to the Lanthanated for just about everything. If its rough work..Ill use the reds, cause I scored "several" boxes of various sizes..from .040- 3/16"

Gunner

"Pax Americana is a philosophy. Hardly an empire. Making sure other people play nice and dont kill each other (and us) off in job lots is hardly empire building, particularly when you give them self determination under "play nice" rules.

Think of it as having your older brother knock the s*it out of you for torturing the cat." Gunner

I have 2% blue ones.

That's great!

I love tungsten, it is so heavy and hard.

Thats what my girl friend says about me...

Gunner

"Pax Americana is a philosophy. Hardly an empire. Making sure other people play nice and dont kill each other (and us) off in job lots is hardly empire building, particularly when you give them self determination under "play nice" rules.

Think of it as having your older brother knock the s*it out of you for torturing the cat." Gunner

Great info guys, thanks a lot, i have bought a couple of boxes of ceriated, and have some lanthanated on order, so I can now cover most bases with a limited range. great reource, this newsgroup. All the best for Christmas and a healthy New Year.