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    Grinding Tungsten Electrodes

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    darren84
    Selection tip of tungsten electrode

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    Grinding Tungsten Electrodes

    Uploaded by

    darren84
    174 views3 pages
    Selection tip of tungsten electrode

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    © © All Rights Reserved

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    Selection tip of tungsten electrode

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    174 views3 pages

    Grinding Tungsten Electrodes

    Uploaded by

    darren84
    Selection tip of tungsten electrode

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
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    GrindingTungstenElectrodes

    2012-07-23

    Weld Like a Pro

    An ARC-ZONE.COM How-to Guide

    Multiprocess
    MIG/GMAW

    TIG/GTAW

    Stick/SMAW

    Plasma

    General/Multiprocess

    The included grind angle (taper) and tip flat diameter (geometry) of a tungsten electrode great affect the
    size and quality of the weld bead and penetration.

    Introduction
    With precision application like orbital tube and pipe welding or plasma arch welding, it is important that
    electrodes are precision ground consistently once a welding procedure is established. Arc-Zone recommends using a dedicated tungsten grinder, which allows you to pre-set the angle. A tungsten grinding
    machine is also safer than a bench grinder and some offer dust collection.
    For highly mechanized welding operations purchasing pre-ground electrodes may be the best solution.
    Always purchase your pre-ground tungsten electrodes from a trusted source like Arc-Zone.com because
    manufacturing and grinding methods can greatly affect tungsten electrode performance.
    Whatever your TIG/GTAW or plasma arc welding application, the electrode should be properly cut and
    tapered.

    Selecting the Grinding Angle


    Follow your equipment suppliers suggested grind angle specifications first because they have performed
    tests to determine the optimal electrode preparation for their equipment. If specifications do not exist
    or you would like to change those settings to potentially improve and optimize your particular welding
    operation, use the following chart and table.
    15

    35

    45

    60

    90

    120

    180

    Sharper Electrode (Narrow Angle)

    Blunter Electrode (Wider Angle)

    Wider weld bead

    Narrower weld bead

    Easier arc starting

    More difficult arc starting

    Less amperage

    More amperage

    Improved arch stability

    Increased potential for arc wander

    Less weld penetration

    More weld penetration

    Shorter electrode life

    Longer electrode life

    Arc-Zone.com, Inc. 2091 Las Palmas Drive, Ste. F Carlsbad, CA 92011-1551

    Tel. 1.760.931.1500/1.800.944.2243 Fax. 1.760.931.1504 Email: info@arc-zone.com


    Copyright2012, Arc-Zone.com, Inc.

    Grinding Electrodes
    H SPEED ROTATION
    HIG

    Use a dedicated tungsten grinder to avoid TUNGSTEN


    contamination of the electrode and to
    maximize welding performance. Grinding wheels should be made of diamond or ROTATION
    TA
    DURING
    borazon. Grind longitudinally and conGRINDING
    centrically so that the line on the ground
    surface move in the same direction as the
    length of the tungsten electrode and the
    electrode has no flat spots.

    DIAMOND
    WHEEL

    Crosswise grinding restricts current and may cause arch wander. Lengthwise
    grinding does not restrict current, resulting in a stronger arc.

    Cutting Electrodes
    Tungsten alloys are dense and very brittle and can splinter
    or shatter, causing fractures in tungsten electrodes. This can
    lead to arc instability or break off during welding, creating
    gross weld defects.
    When you need to cut your electrode to a specific length
    or remove contamination from the tip, be sure to cut the
    electrodes correctly. Incorrect cutting methods damage the
    integrity of the tungsten alloys, shorten arch time, and increase the potential for tungsten contamination in the weld.

    DIAMOND CUTTING
    WHEEL
    TUNGSTEN CUT
    TO LENGTH

    To ensure quality cuts:


    Use a diamond wheel with the electrode secured on
    both sides of the cut.
    ADJUSTABLE STOP
    ST SCALE
    ADJUSTABLE
    Do not bend electrodes until they fracture.
    Do not cut tungsten electrodes with wire cutters or pliers.
    Do not notch the electrode on the grinding wheel and then snap it off.

    Arc-Zone.com, Inc. 2091 Las Palmas Drive, Ste. F Carlsbad, CA 92011-1551

    Tel. 1.760.931.1500/1.800.944.2243 Fax. 1.760.931.1504 Email: info@arc-zone.com


    Copyright2012, Arc-Zone.com, Inc.

    HOLDING FORK

    Flat Tips
    Pointed tips can burn off and drop into the weld puddle resulting in
    weld contamination and poor weld quality. After grinding the angle
    (taper), knock off the tip of the electrode as demonstrated in the illustration. You may also grind a new flat tip prior to re-grinding when
    reconditioning an old electrode.

    DIAMOND
    WHEEL

    Safety Guide
    Never grind tungsten electrodes on belt sanders or the sides of standard grinding wheels.
    Do not breath grinding dust.
    Do not wear loose clothing, which may get
    caught in moving parts.
    Do not operate electrical equipment in or
    around standing water.

    Wear approved safety glasses.


    Use an electrode grinding wand when grinding by hand to minimize burns and cuts. Splintered electrodes can penetrate the operators
    hands and eyes.
    Use an exhaust system when grinding radioactive thoriated tungsten electrodes.

    About ARC-ZONE.com
    Jim Watson
    Jim is CEO and founder of Arc-Zone.com. He is a master fabricator with years of hands-on experience
    in his own shop and also as a winning motorcycle racer, car builder, and chief mechanic for a top motorsports team. He also has extensive experience in manufacturing, technical sales, and product development. Before launching Arc-Zone.com, he held leadership positions in some of the most respected companies in the welding industry.
    Arc-Zone.com
    Under Jims direction, Arc-Zone.com has led the industry in product innovation and online sales and service, becoming the worlds leading supplier of high-quality, high-performance welding and metal working
    tools and accessories.
    Contact Us
    Contact us by phone, email, fax, or even- old-fashioned regular mail:
    Arc-Zone.com, Inc.
    2091 Las Palmas Drive Suite F
    Carlsbad, CA 92011
    800.944.2243 (Toll Free US) 1.760.931.1500 (Worldwide)
    info@arc-zone.com
    Copyright 2012 by Arc-Zone, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Printed in the United States of America.
    Under copyright laws, this documentation may not be copied, photocopied, reproduced, translated, or reduced to any electronic medium or machine-readable form, in whole or part, without the prior written consent of Arc-Zone, Inc. Arc-Zone Inc.
    provides this documentation without warranty of any kind, either implicit or expressed, including, but not limited to, the implied warranties of fitness for a particular purpose. Arc-Zone, Inc. reserves the right to review this documentation and to make
    changes in content from time to time without obligation to provide notification of such revisions or changes.
    Arc-Zone.com, Inc. 2091 Las Palmas Drive, Ste. F Carlsbad, CA 92011-1551

    Tel. 1.760.931.1500/1.800.944.2243 Fax. 1.760.931.1504 Email: info@arc-zone.com


    Copyright2012, Arc-Zone.com, Inc.

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