TIG electrodes, also known as non-consumable electrodes, are one of the most important elements in TIG welding. The electrodes are part of the welding torch - it is a round rod placed inside the ceramic nozzle. It is between the electrode and the workpiece that the welding arc glows. The quality and economy of the entire welding process depend to a large extent on the operating features of the electrodes.
The electrodes are made of tungsten (tungsten is a material with a very high melting point, therefore electrodes are called infusible) in pure form or with additives - tungsten alloy with an appropriate amount of oxides: thorium, zirconium, lanthanum and cerium. These additives increase the durability of the electrodes, facilitate the ignition of the arc and increase its stability.
The electrodes are divided according to their percentage composition and the type of oxides forming the electrode alloy. The electrodes are made of pure tungsten, without any additives, are tungsten electrodes. The electrodes with the addition of thorium oxides are thoriated electrodes, with the addition of lanthanum - lanthanum electrodes etc. A separate group are electrodes with an admixture of rare earth elements. Commonly, however, regardless of the composition, t and g electrodes are generally referred to as tungsten electrodes.
