Tungsten element with symbol W and atomic number 74, has the highest melting point of all known metal. It is characterized by a uniquely low coefficient of thermal expansion and a very high level of dimensional stability.Tungsten rods have superior heat resistance, thermion emission, strength and hardness. Therefore, they are used for various applications, such as discharge electrodes, anchors for electronic tubes, Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) rods, and probe pins. In addition to ordinary tungsten products, we offer high-purity tungsten products (5-N pure products; PT05).
Main Materials For Tungsten Rods
Material Name | Code Name | Component [%] | Quality | Application |
Tungsten | TR | ≥99.96 | Ordinary tungsten | General |
High-purity Tungsten | PT05 | ≃99.999 | High-purity tungsten in 5N pure level | Mercury lamps, xenon lamps, etc. |
General Usage Standards Of Tungsten Rod
– *Standards defined by TMIAS (Japan Tungsten & Molybdenum Industry Association)
– Surface-finishing types: May be either “as drawn” (D), “chemically treated” (C), “electropolishing” (E), or “ground” (G); “as swaged” (S) is only possible for VWB2
Code Name | TMIAS Symbol* | W Purity [%] | Diameter [mm] | Tolerance | Application |
TR | VWB1 | ≥99.96 | ≤0.1 | +/- 1 µm | General |
VWB2 | φ0.1–26 | +/- 1% | |||
φ0.1–26 | +/- 3% | ||||
PT05 | VWB1 | ≃99.999 | ≤0.1 | +/- 1 µm | Mercury lamps and xenon lamps |
VWB2 | φ0.1–26 | +/- 1% | |||
φ0.1–26 | +/- 3% |
Tungsten Rod Standard Diameter Tolerances (Inches)
Diameter | Black/Clean | Ground |
.020 – .025 | ± .001 | ± .001 |
.025 to .070 | ± .0015 | ± .001 |
.070 to .200 | ± .003 | ± .001 |
.200 to .250 | ± .007 | ± .001 |
.250 to .435 | ± .007 | ± .0015 |
.435 to .690 | ± .010 | ± .003 |
Tungsten Rod Standard Length Tolerances (Inches)
Diameter | Length | Range | |
.500 to 12 | 12 to 24 | 12 to 24 | >24 |
.020 to .100 | ±.010 | ±.010 | ±.0625 |
.100 to .500 | ±.015 | ±.015 | ±.0625 |
.500 to .690 | ±.030 | ±.0625 |
Standards For EDM (Electrical Discharge Machining)
Tungsten ROds
We have reduced the manufacturing cost by not machining tungsten rods intended for electric discharge drilling electrodes.
Diameter [mm] | Diameter Tolerance | Length [mm] | Length Tolerance [mm] |
φ0.050–0.100 | +/- 1 µm | 100–500 | +/- 1 |
φ0.100–0.500 | +/- 1% of diameter |
TIG welding electrodes and their colour coding or doping
tungsten electrode types
E3®
The tungsten electrode E3® (purple) developed by ABICOR BINZEL with oxides of rare earths as doping elements is suitable for both direct current (DC) and alternating current (AC) welding. Practically any metal can be welded with it. Because of its excellent ignition properties, it is therefore also often used for automated processes. During the welding process, the electrode temperature remains consistently low, which in turn ensures better current carrying capacity and a longer service life compared to thoriated electrodes. The latter may only be used in exceptional cases because of their extremely harmful effects.
Colour coding with oxides of rare earths:
WLa
This tungsten electrode is mainly used for welding unalloyed and high-alloy steels, aluminum, titanium, copper and magnesium alloys. Its doping element, lanthanum oxide, makes it suitable for direct current as well as alternating current welding, just like the E3®. The golden TIG welding electrode is also used in micro-plasma welding.
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Colour coding with lanthanum oxide:
- Black = WLa 10 – with 0.8 to 1.2 % lanthanum oxide
- Gold = WLa 15 – with 1.3 to 1.7 % lanthanum oxide
- Blue = WLa 20 – with 1.7 to 2.2 % lanthanum oxide
WCe
The doping element cerium oxide makes this TIG welding electrode more resilient than an electrode with pure tungsten – but less than the E3® and lanthanum electrodes. This type of tungsten electrode is used primarily in the medium and lower current range for welding unalloyed and high-alloy steels as well as aluminum, copper, nickel, titanium and magnesium alloys. They can be used for both alternating current welding and direct current welding – however, less well than the E3® electrode from ABICOR BINZEL.
Colour coding with cerium oxide:
WP
The green undoped tungsten electrode was developed for welding with sinusoidal alternating current especially for light metals. It is not suitable for direct current welding. As the green pure tungsten electrode prevents the formation of a pure square wave due to its inertia and high work function, it is not recommended to use this welding electrode with inverter power sources. The ideal replacement for the green tungsten electrode is the E3®.
Colour coding with pure tungsten:
WZr
With its doping element zirconium oxide this tungsten electrode reduces the risk of contaminating the weld pool. This TIG welding electrode is mainly used for AC welding, because it is not only suitable for DC welding to a limited extent. In AC welding, this doping element ensures a very stable dome. On the other hand, a tungsten electrode with zirconia does not ignite as well.
Colour coding with zirconium oxide:
TIG Welding Standard Of Tungsten Rod
Tungsten electrode rods for TIG welding are easily startable and are receiving an excellent reputation in stability and durability.
Material Name | Symbol | Color | Welding Current | Welded Metals |
Tungsten | YWP | Green | Alternate | Aluminum alloys, magnesium alloys, and other light metals |
Application Of Tungsten Rod
High Purity Materials
Medical Devices
Metals
Refractory Metals & Alloy
Research & Laboratory
Thin Film Deposition
Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) Welding
