TIG welding electrodes
The best conditions for high stability of the welding process.
Our TIG welding electrodes are 100% developed in Germany and manufactured from powder. Features of the extensive product range consisting of in-house developments and DIN standard electrodes
- Optimum ignition reliability
- Low burn-off
- Homogeneous distribution of substances
- Long service life
- High arc quality
As Europe’s sole manufacturer authorised for tungsten-thorium production, we not only offer radiation-free alternatives but also the only WTh electrodes of premium quality.
WS2® WITSTAR®
Fields of application: TIG, plasma applications, lighting and illumination technology
Wolfram Industrie’s first in-house development is known and popular around the world today, and frequently copied as the only serious WTh alternative. However, the original with the correct 2 percent by weight of our rare earth mixture is only available from us.
INOSTAR®
Fields of application: TIG, plasma applications, lighting and illumination technology
Our latest top development since 2013: the INOSTAR® alloy. It contains up to 2 percent by weight of a rare earth blend, further improving the already excellent properties of the WS2 alloy:
- Even better ignition
- Even lower burn-off
- Even longer service life
We therefore see the area of application mainly in high-purity bonds needed in the fields of medicine, pharmaceuticals and food technology. Sensitive metals such as titanium can also be welded without problems.
ALUSTAR®
Applications: TIG welding of aluminium alloys
ALUSTAR® is an alloy developed especially for welding aluminium. Its composition extends the service life and improves arc focusing. Perfect dome formation and a reduction of post-processing are positive side effects.
WTh – tungsten thorium
Fields of application: TIG welding, plasma applications
Notwithstanding the dangers that slightly radioactive electrodes may pose, many welders in Europe and Asia continue to swear by “their red” WTh20. Up to 4 percent by weight of thorium dioxide is added to alloys of the WTh type during production. Ignitability increases with a higher oxide content compared to pure tungsten. Thoriated tungsten is used wherever a stable electron exit is essential: in plasma spraying, electron beam sources and also welding (see above).
The electrode responds “good naturedly” to high amperages. But it must be handled with special caution: Vapours or fine dust produced during welding or while resharpening the electrode tip can cause health problems in the body. Implementing suitable safety measures (extraction) is very important in this case.
Our company is Europe’s sole manufacturer authorised for tungsten-thorium production, which is also why we offer the only WTh electrodes that are 100% compliant with German quality standards.
Additional DIN materials
WP – pure tungsten
Fields of application: TIG, plasma applications, resistance welding
Only tungsten powder with a very high purity of at least 99.95% without additional alloying elements is used in the production of WP electrodes. After brief mixing, the powder is filled into a mould and compacted, then sintered into a rod and brought into the final shape by rotary swaging, drawing, grinding and other methods. The electron work function is high at 4.5 eV, which is why the temperature increases at the tip and the microstructure recrystallises. The service life is comparatively short. WP is generally used only for AC welding, for example on aluminium and magnesium alloys.
WLa – tungsten lanthanum
Fields of application: TIG, plasma applications, resistance welding
Next to the WTh alloy, the WLa alloy is the most versatile. With a lanthanum (III) oxide content of up to 2 percent by weight, this mixture can be used for a very broad range of applications: electrodes for TIG, orbital, plasma and resistance welding, and many more. Once again: the higher the oxide content, the better the ignition of the electrode. Thanks to its low alloy content, the WLa10 electrode is also suitable for AC welding of aluminium and magnesium. This alloy type is therefore the favourite WTh20 replacement in Europe.
WCe – tungsten cerium
Fields of application: TIG welding, resistance welding
For many welders around the the world, the grey WCe20 is the new “red one”. With up to 2 percent by weight of cerium (IV) oxide, this alloy type is set to outrank the WTh material for TIG and plasma welding. The electrode type is universal in application and exhibits better ignition behaviour than thoriated electrodes.
WZr – tungsten zirconium
Fields of application: TIG welding (welding of Al and Mg alloys)
For the WZr alloy type, up to 0.8 percent by weight of zirconium oxide is added to the tungsten powder during production. The alloy is used almost exclusively for TIG electrodes: Thanks to the low alloy content, the material is suitable for welding joints with seams that must be free of foreign materials. The alloy can also be used for the AC welding of aluminium and magnesium. Here it exhibits a more stable arc compared to WP.
