Longevity WELDMAX 185i - Manual (Page 12)

WELDMAX 185i
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Selecting the Right Tungsten Electrodes:
Selecting the right tungsten is crucial to a successful TIG weld. You have to insure the correct
tungsten is used for the type of metal you are welding, the type of technology used in your
welder such as transformer or inverter, and the thickness of the metal you will need to weld. This
leaves you with a variety sizes ranging from 1/16 to 1/8” and the types of tungstens such as the
Pure Tungsten (TP), 2% Thoriated Tungsten (TT2), 2% Ceriated Tungsten (TC2), and 2%
Lanthanated Tungsten (TL2). Fortunately, LONGEVITY offers high quality tungsten electrodes
and explains which tungsten is required for the right application. Pure Tungsten (TP) – (green
tipped) - Pure tungsten readily forms a ball on the end. It is designed for use with transformer-
based power sources for AC welding of aluminum. Unfortunately, LONGEVITY does not carry
transformer based technology considering the size and weight of TRANSFORMER welders.
Therefore, this tungsten is rarely sold buy our sales staff
2% Thoriated Tungsten (TT2) – (red tipped) - This tungsten is the most common tungsten
currently being used with LONGEVITY DC TIG. It is generally utilized for DC welding of mild
steel, bronze, and stainless steel and basically all metals except aluminum and offers excellent
performance. A drawback is that this tungsten has a low level radiation hazard and the fact that
they no recommend to weld aluminum. We recommend this tungsten with our stand alone DC
only TIG Welders, our WELDMAX 185
multi-process welders, which feature DC TIG welders.
The 2% Thoriated Tungsten works well with Inverter Welders. This is the tungsten to use for
your welder. LONGEVITY does have them available.
2% Ceriated Tungsten (TC2) – (grey tipped) – 2% ceriated is an excellent substitute for 2%
thoriated tungsten and is designed for transformer and inverter based power sources. For
Transformer DC welding, this tungsten requires less amperage to start so it is recommended for
thinner metals. It offers a stable arc and can be used for both AC and DC welding with inverter
power sources and is our most popular sold tungsten because it can be used to weld every type of
metal in both AC / DC modes in our LONGEVITY INVETER TIG welders. We recommend this
unit with our ArcMate 200AMP ACDC TIG/STICK unit or our WeldAll series multi functional
welders and plasma cutters because of the versatility of AC DC welding.
2% Lanthanated Tungsten (TL2) – blue tip – 2% lanthanated is probably the most popular
substitute for 2% thoriated tungsten. Offering a longer life span than the 2% thoriated tungstens,
it is a nice a nice alternative, but not as recommended as our 2% Thoriated Tungsten. This
tungsten can be used with both transformer and inverter technology on both AC DC modes.