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
Wave 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 Welding (Figures 6-2
And 6-3)
CAUTION: HOT FLYING METAL 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
