Blue tungstens == Lanthanated?

Question

I have a box of 10 tungstens that have a blue band on them. They were made in the UK, and are described as 4.8 mm. That's very close to

3/16" in diameter.

3/16" = 4.7625 vs. my electrodes 4.8 mm.

So, these electrodes are only slightly, by 0.0375 mm larger than

3/16.

A few questions.

are they lanthanated? The package is kind of vague on that.

Can they be used in place of 3/16" electrodes in US torches?

Do I have any possible use for them with my 200 A DC welder?

If not, what would they be worth on ebay, let's say.

thanks.

i

akushner · Accepted Answer

Why not search in this group for lanthanated tungstens? You will findplenty from Ernie on this topic...

Moray Cuthill · Answer

I've got a pack of Rapid strike tungstens (enviromental friendly - non carceogenic). I've been using them, and find that they withstand scratch starting far better than the thoriated ones I've been using, but they seem to instantly melt away if they touch the weld pool.

Yes. Most of the collets are listed as both imperial and metric.

moray

PS. I've also only had my TIG welder for a few weeks, and have been watching your various posts with interest.

John Noon · Answer

Good Day AllFor all intense purposes 4.8mm is 3/16" ; more common to see it rounded up to 5mm.Your collet will be able to compensate for a slight variation in the electrode diameter.The electrode you have is EWLa-2     97.3% Tungsten 2% Lanthanum Oxide."E" = electrode"W" = Wolfram (tungsten) ; 100% GreenLa = Lanthanum Oxide ; 1% Black 1.5% Gold 2% BlueCe = Cerium Oxide ; 2% OrangeTh = Thorium Oxide ; 1% Yellow 2% RedZr = Zirconium Oxide ; BrownG = 94.5% tungsten remainder unspecified ; GreyOperating range of electrode;DCEN 500-750 ampsDCEP 55-80 ampsACunbalanced wave 400-500 ampsAC balanced wave 290-390 ampsWith a 200 amp welder it looks like you will have to run in DCEP too maintain a stable arc.John

Ignoramus20247 · Answer

Sounds great.These are highly impressive amps! I can probably weld a battleshipwith 750 amps...Sounds interesting. Could I weld sensible thicknesses of aluminum withDCEP at 80 amps? (water cooled torch)i

John Noon · Answer

Argon is the recommended shielding gas with DCEP in order to reduce the amount of electrode heating.

0.030 thick - 0.188 electrode - 50* to 65 amps - 0.020 to 0.047 filler metal 0.040 thick - 0.188 electrode - 60 to 80 amps - 0.047 filler metal 0.050 thick- 0.188 electrode - 70 to 90* amps - 0.047 to 0.062 filler metal *Note: appears to be a discrepancy in the reference book. Likely a change in electrode has taken place. For example Thoriated should be able too run at 50 amps DCEP.

This is relatively easy to figure out for your machine; reduce the amperage until the arc becomes unstable. Increase the amperage slightly when your arc becomes stable again this is your minimum amperage for your electrode/machine combination.

Recommended joint configurations Edge weld or Square groove with filler metal Folded Edge- Autogenous welding (no filler metal)

Clean the base metal well. The process will provide good cleaning action but is not a replacement for proper work practices. Weld bead is wide with shallow penetration. Weld backing may be required as a support for the base metal.

John

Blue tungstens == Lanthanated?

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