Tungsten electrodes are an important part of arc welding.

Tungsten electrode for welding is a rod with a special coating applied to it (or without it). Electrode wires can be distinguished by the following features:

1. The length of the rod.
2. Diameter of the rod.
3. Chemical composition. It has a significant influence on the quality characteristics of the weld, and also improves the stability of arc combustion and protects the metal from the effects of the environment. Since tungsten electrodes can be sprayed with an additional coating to improve certain qualities, they distinguish alloying, gas-forming, slag-forming, stabilizing and deoxidizing coatings.
4. Type of electrode. Tungsten electrodes are presented only in non-melting version. The qualitative characteristics of this type of electrodes allow them to maintain their shape during the entire welding process. However, it must be remembered that in this case additional filler material should be used, which will be welded onto the welded parts, forming a single weld pool with them.

Tungsten electrodes are considered to be one of the most important elements in arc welding. Because this process involves the melting of the material with the help of thermal energy, which comes from the arc discharge that arises between the electrode and the workpiece to be welded. The electric arc is an electric discharge of high power, which occurs in the environment of ionized gases and metal vapors.

Thus, tungsten electrodes serve as current conductors to the welding zone and, through the filler material, couple several parts together. The use of this type of electrode contributes to the formation of a high-quality seam (regardless of the material of the parts to be welded).

Tungsten electrodes are made from a tungsten alloy with special additives, which have a positive effect on the quality of the welded seam.

Ignition of the electric arc in the welding zone occurs in several stages:

1. First, the current flowing from the electrode is short-circuited to the part.
2. The electrode is slightly detached, stretching the arc.
3. As a result of these manipulations, a stable electric arc is formed.

However, it is this stage of the technological process that is a disadvantage of using a tungsten electrode: insufficient ignitability of the arc discharge. To eliminate it, tungsten electrodes are coated with zirconium sputtering.

In connection with this, the following requirements are imposed on tungsten electrodes:

1. Low melting rate.
2. Low degree of deformation of the electrode.
3. Stability of arc discharge.
4. Flexible application.
5. Steady current.

Modern tungsten electrodes have good quality characteristics, which provides a high-quality arc and, therefore, guarantees high quality of the welded seam. Thanks to innovative developments, flickering of the arc discharge is eliminated, and a high degree of arc stabilization is provided.