Lincoln Electric IM805 manual Operation, For Tungsten Electrodes

B-6				OPERATION				B-6
			Table B.3 TYPICAL CURRENT RANGES (1)
			FOR TUNGSTEN ELECTRODES (2)
		DCEN (-)	DCEP (+)		Approximate Argon Gas Flow Rate
					l/min (c.f.m.)
Tungsten
Electrode		1%, 2%	1%, 2%					TIG TORCH
Diameter		Thoriated	Thoriated		Aluminum	Stainless Steel		Nozzle
mm (in)		Tungsten	Tungsten					Size (4), (5)
.25	(0.010)	2-15	(3)		2-4 (3-8)	2-4 (3-8)		#4, #5, #6
.50	(0.020)	5-20	(3)		3-5 (5-10)	3-5	(5-10)
1.0	(0.040)	15-80	(3)		3-5 (5-10)	3-5	(5-10)
1.6	(1/16)	70-150	10-20		3-5 (5-10)	4-6	(9-13)	#5, #6
2.4	(3/32)	150-250	15-30		6-8 (13-17)	5-7 (11-15)		#6, #7, #8
3.2	(1/8)	250-400	25-40		7-11 (15-23)	5-7 (11-15)
4.0	(5/32)	400-500	40-55		10-12 (21-25)	6-8 (13-17)		#8, #10
4.8	(3/16)	500-750	55-80		11-13 (23-27)	8-10	(18-22)
6.4	(1/4)	750-1000	80-125		13-15 (28-32)	11-13 (23-27)

(1)When used with argon gas. The current ranges shown must be reduced when using argon/helium or pure helium shielding gases.

(2)Tungsten electrodes are classified as follows by the American Welding Society (AWS):

Pure	EWP
1% Thoriated	EWTh-1
2% Thoriated	EWTh-2

Though not yet recognized by the AWS, Ceriated Tungsten is now widely accepted as a substitute for 2% Thoriated Tungsten in AC and DC applications.

(3)DCEP is not commonly used in these sizes.

(4)TIG torch nozzle “sizes” are in multiples of 1/16ths of an inch:

# 4 =	1/4 in.	6 mm
# 5 =	5/16 in.	8 mm
# 6 =	3/8 in.	10 mm
# 7 =	7/16 in.	11 mm
# 8 =	1/2 in.	12.5 mm
#10 =	5/8 in.	16 mm

(5)TIG torch nozzles are typically made from alumina ceramic. Special applications may require lava nozzles, which are less prone to breakage, but cannot withstand high temperatures and high duty cycles.

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