TIG Stainless Steel Tungsten Electrode - Tungsten Electrode for TIG Welding Steel - Stainless Steel

Active filters

By choosing a welding machine on the EURO-WELDING website, you are guaranteed that it is designed by a French or European manufacturer complying with the EN 60974-1 manufacturing standard.

Compliance with this EN 60974-1 standard by the manufacturer guarantees that the equipment produced is intended for industrial and professional use, and that with regard to the rules relating to electromagnetic compatibility, this equipment is rated class A.
It is your responsibility to check the following points before any use
- That the electrical network used when operating this type of equipment is properly earthed
- That the electrical line to which you connect the welding machine is controlled by a fuse whose amperage is in line with that indicated on the nameplate of the machine or that indicated in the supplier's manual.
Depending on the model of machine that interests you, specifically its power in Amperes or its type of current (single-phase or three-phase), it is your responsibility to contact your electricity supplier to ensure that you have the appropriate subscription.
-Pacemaker wearers should consult a doctor before using this equipment. Exposure to electromagnetic fields during welding may have other effects on health that are not yet known.
As a general rule, as with any other tool, it is essential to read the user manual provided with the machine, including the safety instructions, before using this equipment.

Active filters

favorite_border favorite
Tungsten Cerium 2% Electrodes (Grey) - Ø2.4x150 mm (x10)
Save 50%

In stock

Soudexpert

Reference: ET-150-24G

(1 review)

€17.65

€35.30

14,59 € tax excl.

Fast delivery

2-year warranty

Box of 10 grey WCE20 CERIUM - 2% tungsten electrodes
Electrode diameter: Ø 2.4 mm
Excellent performance in DC welding
Suitable for thin sheet metal and tubes
Ideal for welding steel, stainless steel, nickel and titanium alloys

Use at high amperages is not recommended as the Cerium oxides will dissipate, negating their benefit.

favorite_border favorite
Tungsten Cerium 2% (Grey) Electrodes - Ø1.6x150 mm (x10)
Save 50%

In stock

Soudexpert

Reference: ET-150-16G

(4 reviews)

€9.33

€18.66

7,71 € tax excl.

Fast delivery

2-year warranty

Box of 10 Grey WCE20 CERIUM - 2% electrodes
Electrode diameter: Ø 1.6 mm
Very good performance in DC welding
Suitable for thin sheets and tubes
Ideal for welding steel, stainless steel, nickel and titanium alloys

Use at high amperages is not recommended as the Cerium oxides will escape, thus cancelling their benefit.

favorite_border favorite
Tungsten Cerium 2% Electrodes (Grey) - Ø1.0x150 mm (x10)

In stock

Soudexpert

Reference: ET-150-10G

€19.15

15,83 € tax excl.

Fast delivery

2-year warranty

Box of 10 Grey WCE20 CERIUM - 2% electrodes
Electrode diameter: Ø 1.0 mm
Very good performance in DC welding
Suitable for thin sheets and tubes
Ideal for welding steel, stainless steel, nickel and titanium alloys

Use at high amperages is not recommended as Cerium oxides will escape, thus cancelling their benefits.

favorite_border favorite
Tungsten Cerium 2% (Grey) Electrodes - Ø3.2x150 mm (x10)

In stock

Soudexpert

Reference: ET-150-32G

€57.48

47,50 € tax excl.

Fast delivery

2-year warranty

Box of 10 Grey WCE20 CERIUM - 2% electrodes
Electrode diameter: Ø 3.2 mm
Very good performance in DC welding
Suitable for thin sheets and tubes
Ideal for welding steel, stainless steel, nickel and titanium alloys

Use at high amperage is not recommended as the Cerium oxides will escape, cancelling their benefits.

favorite_border favorite
Tungsten Cerium 2% Electrodes (Grey) - Ø2.0x150 mm (x10)
Save 50%

In stock

Soudexpert

Reference: ET-150-20G

(2 reviews)

€14.11

€28.23

11,67 € tax excl.

Fast delivery

2-year warranty

Box of 10 Grey WCE20 CERIUM - 2% electrodes
Electrode diameter: Ø 2.0 mm
Very good performance in DC welding
For use on thin sheets and tubes
Ideal for welding steel, stainless steel, nickel and titanium alloys

The use at high amperages is not recommended as Cerium oxides will escape, cancelling their benefits.

favorite_border favorite
Tungsten Thorium 2% Electrodes (Red) - Ø2.4x150 mm (x10)

In stock

Soudexpert

Reference: ET-150-24R

€34.28

28,33 € tax excl.

Fast delivery

2-year warranty

Box of 10 Red Tungsten WT20 electrodes - THORIATED 2%
Electrode diameter: Ø 2.4 mm
For welding steel and stainless steel
Exceptional performance in DC TIG welding
Ideal for precision work

Operating range from 85 to 270 Amperes
Maximum operating power: DC 270 Amperes

Warning, there is a slight risk of radioactivity due to thorium. Therefore we recommend treating grinding dust with a grinder equipped with a particle filter.
Finally, remember to re-sharpen when the tip becomes blunt.

favorite_border favorite
Tungsten Thorium 2% (Red) Electrodes - Ø2.0x150 mm (x10)

In stock

Soudexpert

Reference: ET-150-20R

€14.12

11,67 € tax excl.

Fast delivery

2-year warranty

Box of 10 Red Tungsten WT20 - THORIATED 2% electrodes
Electrode diameter: Ø 2.0 mm
For welding steel and stainless steel
Exceptional performance in TIG DC welding
Ideal for precision work

Usage range from 65 to 220 Amperes
Maximum operating power: DC 220 Amperes

Warning, there is a slight risk of radioactivity due to thorium. Therefore, we recommend treating grinding dust with a grinder equipped with a particle filter.
Finally, remember to resharpen when the tip becomes dull.

favorite_border favorite
Tungsten Thorium 2% Electrodes (Red) - Ø1.6x150 mm (x10)

In stock

Soudexpert

Reference: ET-150-16R

€19.15

15,83 € tax excl.

Fast delivery

2-year warranty

Box of 10 Red Tungsten WT20 Electrodes - THORIATED 2%
Electrode diameter: Ø 1.6 mm
For welding steel and stainless steel
Exceptional performance in TIG DC welding
Ideal for precision work

Operating range from 50 to 120 Amperes
Max operating power: DC 160 Amperes

Caution, there is a slight risk of radioactivity due to thorium. Therefore, we recommend handling grinding dust with a grinder equipped with a particle filter.
Finally, remember to resharpen when the tip becomes blunt.

favorite_border favorite
Tungsten Thorium 2% Electrodes (Red) - Ø1.0x150 mm (x10)
Save 50%

In stock

Soudexpert

Reference: ET-150-10R

€9.33

€18.66

7,71 € tax excl.

Fast delivery

2-year warranty

Box of 10 Red Tungsten WT20 Electrodes - THORIATED 2%
Electrode diameter: Ø 1.0 mm
For welding steels and stainless steel
Exceptional performance in TIG DC welding
Ideal for precision work

Operating range from 5 to 30 Amperes
Max operating power: DC 50 Amperes

Caution, there is a slight radioactivity risk due to thorium. Therefore we recommend treating grinding dust with a grinder fitted with a particulate filter.
Finally, remember to resharpen when the tip becomes blunt.

In the inert gas arc welding process with a non-consumable electrode, the heat required to melt the weld metal is provided by an electric arc struck and maintained between a tungsten electrode (or tungsten alloy) and the workpiece. The molten metal as well as the electrode are protected against the action of oxygen and nitrogen in the air by the continuous flow of an inert shielding gas. All of this constitutes the name of the process: TIG or Tungsten Inert Gas.

The electrode therefore plays a key role in the TIG process. The electrodes used are predominantly composed of more than 99% tungsten by mass, to which metal oxides are added to increase the electronic emissivity of the electrode and therefore its efficiency.

For TIG welding of steels – stainless steel, EURO-WELDING offers tungsten electrodes that stand out for their excellent arc striking performance even when re-striking with a hot electrode, and ensure consistent weld bead quality. Particularly suited for welding steel, stainless steel, nickel and titanium alloys at low to medium amperages. Suitable for automatic welding, these tungsten electrodes for TIG welding of steel – stainless steel guarantee the best results.

 

Welding of steels and their alloys

Depending on the application, the type of welding current, the nature of the electrode and the electrode diameter, there are several possible choices of refractory tungsten electrodes for TIG welding of steels, as shown in the following table.

Metal type

Thickness

Tungsten Electrode

Current type

Shielding gas

Low-alloy steel - Carbon

All

Thoriated

Direct DCEP

Argon or Argon-Helium

Thin only

Pure or zirconium

Alternating (AC)

Argon

Stainless Steel

All

Thoriated

Direct DCEP

Argon or Argon-Helium

Thin only

Pure or zirconium

Alternating (AC)

Argon or Argon-Hydrogen

 

Steels and steel alloys are generally welded in direct current, in straight or negative polarity. The table below indicates the recommended current range according to the diameter of the tungsten electrode used.

Electrode diameter

Tungsten

Ø 1.0 mm

10 to 80 A

Ø 1.6 mm

50 to 120 A

Ø 2.0 mm

80 to 190 A

Ø 2.4 mm

100 to 240 A

Ø 3.2 mm

150 to 300 A

Ø 4.0 mm

300 to 450 A

Ø 5.0 mm

500 to 650 A

 

Protection of the Tungsten Electrode for welding steels

The tungsten electrode must be continuously protected by a flow of inert gas (argon or helium) just before arc striking (pre-gas), during welding and after the electric arc is extinguished (post-gas) until it has cooled down. The tip of the electrode must always be bright and silver-white in colour after complete cooling. If this is not the case, the post-gas time must be increased.

The recommended post-gas delay setting for the generator is indicated in the following table.

Welding current intensity

Post-gas duration

50 A

5 seconds

100 A

10 seconds

150 A

15 seconds

200 A

20 seconds

250 A

25 seconds

300 A

30 seconds

 

Sharpening the Tungsten Electrode is essential

The geometric preparation of the tip of the non-consumable electrode is an important variable. Make sure to sharpen in such a way that the grooves converge in a direction oriented towards the axis of the refractory electrode, and not in concentric circles perpendicular to that axis. Use the fine grit of a bench grinder or a tungsten sharpening machine specifically designed for this purpose. It will have a pointed tip for DC (direct current) welding.

The tungsten must never be allowed to touch the workpiece, nor come into contact with the weld pool and/or the filler metal. Your electrode will be contaminated; it will be necessary to grind the defective area of the weld bead and re-sharpen the tip. 

The tungsten electrode can be cut to length depending on the type of cap used on the torch. Cutting is done by grinding with a thin cutting disc.

Overview of Stainless Steel

Stainless steels are iron-carbon alloys (low carbon), heavily alloyed with chromium, and often alloyed with other elements such as nickel, molybdenum, titanium or niobium.
Chromium confers the corrosion resistance of steels. By combining with oxygen, it creates a layer of oxide on the surface of the parts, known as a passivation layer, as it makes the steel impermeable to corrosive products.

Steel is considered stainless from 10.5% chromium and less than 1.2% carbon.

Stainless steels hold a remarkable position with regard to a large number of aggressive media thanks to the passivity phenomenon; due to the presence of chromium. A very thin film, bonded to the base metal, prevents contact between the metal and the more or less aggressive agents in the surrounding environment.

Stainless steels do not cover all types of corrosion, hence the development of an extensive range of stainless steel grades.

The following table summarises the 3 main types of stainless steel:

Type

% Carbon

%Chromium

%Nickel

Application

Martensitic

0.1 to 1.5

12 to 18

sometimes 1 to 4

Cutlery, turbine parts, surgical instruments

Ferritic

0.02 to 0.06

11 to 29

-

Automotive industry, shipbuilding industry, household appliances

Austenitic

0.015 to 1

16 to 20

8 to 25

food industry, mass catering, hospitals

 

The Tungsten Electrode for Stainless Steel

When TIG welding stainless steel, welding is carried out in direct current with the electrode at the negative pole. The majority of the heat is therefore directed towards the workpiece. The electrode material is generally tungsten with 2% thorium oxide. However, thoriated electrodes emit minimal radioactive radiation. As a result, there are tungsten electrodes alloyed with so-called 'rare earths' which have a longer service life. These include tungsten electrodes with 2% lanthanum oxide (La2O3) or with 2% cerium oxide (CeO2).

An electrode diameter that is too small leads to overheating or melting of the electrode, with a high risk of tungsten inclusions in the weld. An excessively large diameter causes arc instability and/or insufficient penetration (poor width-to-depth ratio of the weld pool). When welding in direct current, the electrode must be sharpened (figure 3).

The following table provides values for electrode diameter, nozzle diameter and current intensity in straight polarity (DCEN).

Electrode Diameter (mm)

Nozzle - Inner diameter (mm)

Current intensity (DCEN) (A)

0,25

6,4

up to 15

0,5

6,4

5-20

1

9,5

15-80

1,6

9,5

70-150

2,4

12,7

150-250

3,2

12,7

250-400

4

12,7

400-500

 

It should be noted that the sharpening of the tungsten electrode must be done in the direction of the tip and not concentrically; the finish must be as perfect as possible (the tip must be broken – flat surface of 0.8 mm).