How three critical electrode issues affect arc welding January
15, 2008 Selecting and preparing a tungsten electrode for
welding involves choosing the correct electrode diameter, and
prepping the electrode with the appropriate process and
equipment. Successfully performing all three will allow for a
consistent and stable arc. A favorite tungsten electrode analogy
is that you may have the best welding equipment in the world,
but without properly prepared tungsten electrodes to transfer
the arc, your welding application is like driving a Porsche on
its rims. The tungsten electrode is one of the most important,
and yet one of the most frequently overlooked, process variables
in DC arc welding. Selecting and preparing them for welding
involves three critical areas: The complete electrode geometry
for DC welding comprises the electrode diameter, the included
angle (taper), and the tip (flat) (see Figure 1). Electrode
geometry comprises three factors: electrode diameter, the
included angle (taper), and the tip (fla