OM-880 Page 20
Table 6-2. Tungsten Electrode Size
Electrode Diameter
Pure Tungsten
.010”
.020”
.040”
1/16”
3/32”
1/8”
5/32”
3/16”
1/4”
2% Thorium Alloyed
Tungsten
.010”
.020”
.040”
1/16”
3/32”
1/8”
5/32”
3/16”
1/4”
Zirconium Alloyed
Tungsten
.010”
.020”
.040”
1/16”
3/32”
1/8”
5/32”
3/16”
1/4”
Amperage Range - Polarity - Gas Type
DC-Argon Electrode
Negative/Straight Polarity
Up to 15
5-20
15-80
70-150
125-225
225-360
360-450
450-720
720-950
Up to 25
15-40
25-85
50-160
135-235
250-400
400-500
500-750
750-1000
DC-Argon Electrode
Positive/Reverse Polarity
*
*
*
10-20
15-30
25-40
40-55
55-80
80-125
*
*
*
10-20
15-30
25-40
40-55
55-80
80-125
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
AC-Argon Using
High Frequency
Up to 15
5-20
10-60
50-100
100-160
150-210
200-275
250-350
325-450
Up to 20
15-35
20-80
50-150
130-250
225-360
300-450
400-500
600-800
Up to 20
15-35
20-80
50-150
130-250
225-360
300-450
400-550
600-800
AC-Argon Balanced
W ave Using High Freq.
Up to 10
10-20
20-30
30-80
60-130
100-180
160-240
190-300
250-400
Up to 15
5-20
20-60
60-120
100-180
160-250
200-320
290-390
340-525
Up to 15
5-20
20-60
60-120
100-180
160-250
200-320
290-390
340-525
*NOT RECOMMENDED
The figures listed are intended as a guide and are a composite of recommendations from American Welding
Society (AWS) and electrode manufacturers. S-0009/8-88
(Green Band)
(Red Band)
(Brown Band)
B. For DC Electrode Negative W elding (Figures 6-2
And 6-3)
CAUTION: HOT FLYING MET AL PARTICLES
can injure personnel, start fires, and dam-
age equipment; TUNGSTEN CONTAMINA-
TION can lower weld quality.
•Shape tungsten electrode only on grinder
with proper guards in safe location wearing
proper face, hand, and body protection.
•Do not use same wheel for any other job or
the tungsten will become contaminated.
1-1/2 Times
Electrode
Diameter
AC And DC
Electrode Positive
2-1/2 Times
Electrode
Diameter
DC Electrode
Negative S-0161
Figure 6-2. Properly Prepared Tungsten
Electrodes