Types of tungsten applications in TIG welding: Key applications in various industries
TIG welding is indispensable in many industries due to its precision and versatility. Different types of tungsten electrodes offer optimal performance for specific applications. The choice of tungsten electrode directly affects welding quality, arc stability, and production efficiency in critical manufacturing and repair processes.
Automotive and Racing Welding
High-performance automotive repair shops rely on thorium tungsten (red tip) tungsten electrodes for DC welding of stainless steel exhaust systems and turbocharger components due to their excellent current carrying capacity. Racing teams are increasingly using cerium tungsten (gray tip) for low-current control welding of thin-walled chromium-molybdenum steel tubes (such as roll cages). The proliferation of electric vehicles has driven demand for lanthanum tungsten in battery casing welding, as it performs exceptionally well in scenarios requiring precise thermal control.
Industrial Piping and Pressure Vessel Manufacturing
The piping welding industry primarily uses 2% thorium tungsten electrodes, as they offer superior durability when welding carbon steel and stainless steel pipes in high-current DC applications. For critical pipelines in nuclear power plants and chemical plants, rare earth tungsten alloys offer enhanced contamination resistance. When welding copper-nickel alloys in seawater systems, pure tungsten (green welding nozzles) provides reliable AC welding performance and excellent weld pool control.
Marine and shipbuilding applications
Shipyards use zirconium tungsten for aluminum hull welding, with AC operation preventing oxide contamination. For stainless steel components exposed to seawater, lanthanum tungsten provides a durable sharp weld tip, suitable for precise DC welding of railings, propellers, and seawater desalination equipment. In the marine repair sector, cerium tungsten is commonly selected due to its exceptional adaptability in both AC aluminum repair and DC stainless steel welding.
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