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OPERATION
B-19 B-19
SQUARE WAVE TIG 355
TABLE B.2
TYPICAL CURRENT RANGES
(1)
FOR TUNGSTEN ELECTRODES
(2)
DCEN (-) DCEP (+)
Tungsten 1%, 2% 1%, 2%
Electrode 1%, 2% 1%, 2% Thoriated Thoriated TIG Torch
Diameter Thoriated Thoriated Pure Tungsten Pure Tungsten Stainless Nozzle
in. (mm) Tungsten Tungsten Tungsten Zirconated Tungsten Zirconiated Aluminum Steel Size
(4), (5)
.010 (.25) 2-15
(3)
2-15 2-15 2-15 — 3-8 (2-4) 3-8 (2-4) 4,5,6
0.020 (.50) 5-20
(3)
5-15 5-20 10-20 5-20 5-10 (3-5) 5-10 (3-5)
0.040 (1.0) 15-80
(
3)
10-60 15-80 20-30 20-60 5-10 (3-5) 5-10 (3-5)
1/16 (1.6) 70-150 10-20 50-100 70-150 30-80 60-120 5-10 (3-5) 9-13 (4-6) 5,6
3/32 (2.4) 150-250 15-30 100-160 140-235 60-130 100-180 13-17 (6-8) 11-15 (5-7) 6,7,8
1/8 (3.2) 250-400 25-40 150-210 225-325 100-180 160-250 15-23 (7-11) 11-15 (5-7)
5/32 (4.0) 400-500 40-55 200-275 300-400 100-240 200-320 21-25 (10-12) 13-17 (6-8) 8,10
3/16 (4.8) 500-750 55-80 250-350 400-500 190-300 290-390 23-27 (11-13) 18-22 (8-10)
1/4 (6.4) 750-1000 80-125 325-450 500-630 250-400 340-525 28-32 (13-15) 23-27 (11-13)
(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. (6mm)
# 5 = 5/16 in. (8mm)
# 6 = 3/8 in. (10mm)
# 7 = 7/16 in. (11mm)
#8 = 1/2 in. (12.5mm)
#10 = 5/8 in. (16mm)
(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. Currents above 350 amps require metal nozzles on water cooled torches.
Approximate Argon
Gas Flow Rate
C.F.H. (l/min)
AC
Unbalanced Wave Balanced Wave