Tungsten colors explained.
2% Lanthanated | Blue
Classification
WL20/EWLa-2.
Color Code: Blue.
Impurity: 2% Lanthanum Oxide (La₂O₃).
Recomended Materials
Mild Steel | Aluminium | Stainless Steel | Titanium.
Aluminium alloys, magnesium alloys, nickel alloys, copper alloys, titanium alloys, low-alloyed steels, and non-corroding steels.
Recomended Current(s)
AC & DC.
Performance
2% Lanthanated electrodes are popular due to the relative ease of striking an arc and lower amperage required. They perform exceptionally well in both AC & DC applications. Are a popular as a general use, all-rounder electrode.
2% thORIATED | RED
Classification
WT20/EWTh-2.
Color Code: Red.
Impurity: 2% Thorium Dioxide (ThO2).
Recomended Materials
Mild Steel | Stainless Steel | Titanium.
Copper alloys, nickel alloys, titanium alloys, and non-corroding steels.
Recomended Current(s)
DC.
Performance
Depending on whom you ask, thoriated tungsten is either the best or worst tungsten available. Those who love it do so because of its reliable performance, stable arc, and high-current/low-consumption capability, while others fear its low-level radioactivity. All we know is that it has been an industry standard for years and will continue to be based on its versatility, availability, and performance.
2% CEriated | grey
Classification
WC20/EWCe-2.
Color Code: Grey.
Impurity: 2% Cerium Oxide (Ce₂O₃ ).
Recomended Materials
BEST USE ON THIN: Mild Steel | Stainless | Titanium.
Titanium alloys, Copper alloys, Magnesium alloys, Aluminum alloys, Nickel alloys, Non-corroding steels, and Low-alloyed
steels.
Recomended Current(s)
DC (AC at own discretion).
Performance
2% Ceriated tungsten offers excellent arc starting at low amperages, making it the go-to choice for orbital tube and pipe; thin sheet; and other small, thin, or delicate parts. Ceriated performs and offers similar versatility to 2% Thoriated (Red) and is often swapped out in low-amperage applications.
Pure Tungsten | grEEN
Classification
WP/EWP.
Color Code: Green.
Impurity: N/A.
Recomended Materials
Aluminium alloys and Magnesium alloys.
Recomended Current(s)
AC.
Performance
The original, green pure tungsten electrode contains at least 99.5% tungsten and delivers all of the properties classically associated with tungsten – superior conductivity, durability, and performance.
0.8% Zirconiated | White
Classification
WZ8/EWZr-1.
Color Code: White.
Impurity: 0.8% Zirconium dioxide (ZrO2).
Recomended Materials
Aluminium alloys and Magnesium alloys.
Recomended Current(s)
Our #1 choice for AC (Under no circumstances recommended for DC).
Performance
0.8% Zirconiated tungsten electrode produces an extremely stable arc and resists tungsten spitting. Ideal for AC welding; it retains a balled tip and has high resistance to contamination. Its current-carrying capability is equal to or greater than that of Thoriated tungsten.
Multi-mix | pink
Classification
MMX/EWG/WGLA 15
Color Code: Pink
Impurities: 1.5% Lanthanum Oxide (La2O3), 0.08% Zirconium Dioxide (ZrO2), 0.08% Yttrium Oxide (Y2O3)
Recomended Materials
Mild Steel | Aluminium | Stainless | Titanium.
Aluminium alloys, magnesium alloys, nickel alloys, copper alloys, titanium alloys, low-alloyed steels, and non-corroding steels
Recomended Current(s)
AC & DC.
Performance
Has been proven to dramatically increase weld quality and service life by offering unsurpassed stability and consistency in every weld. It is non-thoriated, non-radioactive, and non-carcinogenic. It is a proprietary product containing multiple additivies of rare earth oxides. Being non-radioactive, it is a popluar replacement to thoriated tungsten. (Also identified as Purple E3® Tungsten | Source: Binzel E3® MSDS)
