Tungsten rods are available in various grades or types, each designed for specific applications and industries. Here are some common grades or types of tungsten rods:
Pure Tungsten Rods: These rods are made of 99.95% pure tungsten and are often used in applications where high temperature resistance and excellent electrical conductivity are required, such as in the aerospace industry for rocket nozzles or in the electronics industry for electrical contacts.
Tungsten Heavy Alloy Rods: These rods are composed of tungsten combined with other heavy metals, such as nickel, iron, or copper, to form a high-density material with superior mechanical properties. Tungsten heavy alloy rods are commonly used in applications where high density, corrosion resistance, and machinability are important, such as in counterweights for aircraft, radiation shielding, or kinetic energy penetrators.
Thoriated Tungsten Rods: These rods are tungsten electrodes containing a small percentage of thorium oxide (typically 1-2%). Thoriated tungsten rods are widely used in gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW or TIG welding) due to their excellent arc starting and stability properties.
Ceriated Tungsten Rods: These rods contain cerium oxide (typically 1-2%) and are often used as an alternative to thoriated tungsten electrodes in GTAW welding applications. Ceriated tungsten rods offer similar performance to thoriated electrodes but are considered safer due to the reduced radioactivity of cerium compared to thorium.
Lanthanated Tungsten Rods: These rods contain lanthanum oxide (typically 1-2%) and are another alternative to thoriated tungsten electrodes. Lanthanated tungsten rods provide stable arc performance, good ignition characteristics, and longer electrode life, making them suitable for various welding applications.
Zirconiated Tungsten Rods: These rods contain zirconium oxide (typically 0.15-0.4%) and are primarily used in AC welding applications, particularly for aluminum and magnesium alloys. Zirconiated tungsten rods have excellent resistance to welding contamination and maintain a stable arc shape during AC welding.
These are some of the common grades or types of tungsten rods available in the market, each tailored to meet specific requirements in various industries and applications. When selecting a tungsten rod, it's essential to consider factors such as material composition, purity, density, mechanical properties, and compatibility with the intended application.