Thoriated tungsten should not get in contact with open cuts or wounds. What is the difference between Thoriated and Lanthanated? many years, this electrode type is increasingly being scrutinized because of concerns for the environment and for the safety alternatives are technically feasible, they should be used." a tungsten matrix and so there is little radiation emitted externally. Thoriated tungsten is the most commonly used in the United States. Health Phys. Thorium is added to the tungsten because it increases the current carrying capacity of the electrode and it reduces contamination of the weld. tungsten. Why is thorium in welding rods? Thoriated electrodes are used in TIG welding. The site is secure. The filters' samples were evaluated by means of direct alpha spectrometry with proportional counting and by means of gamma spectrometry following neutron activation. The experts recommend that use of thoriated electrodes ceases as soon as is practicable and that, until that change is completed, special care is taken to inform workers of the hazards and to. (California Health and Safety Code 25249.5 et seq.)". It offers good ignition and re-ignition properties, long service life and excellent arc stability. lanthanated electrodes was longer than thoriated electrodes. The range of 232Th intakes to welders were estimated from 0.1 Bq y(-1) to 144 Bq y(-1) during welding and from 0.02 Bq y(-1) to 30.2 Bq y(-1) during grinding. Stationary samplers were also used. A: My research says you shouldnt worry about contaminating yourself while welding, but you could inhale tungsten powder when grinding the point. Tungsten rings do not make you sick nor pose any health risk to the wearer. Make sure you use a tungsten electrode large enough in diameter to carry the welding current you plan to use. Do not induce vomiting. There was no significant difference found in arc stability, penetration, or weld bead shape. Select Attribute Select Attribute Select Attribute Sort by: Default Product Number Product Description Pricing GF70145984 Thoriated tungsten, wire, 0.15 mm diameter, W 99%/Th 1%, length 25 m, temper as drawn their MSDS Sheets: Due to the problem discussed in the section above, two significant alternative, non-radioactive tungsten materials have been In summary, follow these three recommendations: Use a pure tungsten or zirconiated tungsten electrode when AC welding aluminum. on scientific studies which showed that this content amount most closely mirrors the conductivity characteristics of 2% thoriated of the AWS, reports that "The British Health and Safety Executive (HSE) have issued an information document to provide for 2007. If this is not possible, precautions should be taken to protect employees against the contamination with or the inhalation This can happen from the exposure to vapours during welding or from ingestion of material/dust in the grinding of the tungsten. Make sure you use a tungsten electrode large enough in diameter to carry the welding current you plan to use. The following are summaries of a few of them: At the 1998 American Welding Society Exhibition in Detroit, Michigan, one major tungsten manufacturer presented an independent Don't use a 2 percent thoriated tungsten electrode. My fabrication shop runs 14 gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) booths for two 10-hour shifts, six days a week, and we use a lot of 0.09375-inch-diameter, 2 percent thoriated tungsten. Ceriated is the most popular choice due to the easy arc start at low amperages. What are three types of electrode used for MMA welding? MeSH 2% thoriated tungsten for DC welding and another tungsten type (usually pure or zirconiated tungsten) for AC welding, could What is the difference between cider and scrumpy? Thoriated tungsten welding rods have been used in TIG arc welding since 1951. Finally, 1% lanthanated tungsten is suitable for both AC and DC welding applications. In 6 of the 26 cases the recent annual limit on intake derived from the most recent ICRP publications was exceeded--in the worst case it was exceeded by a factor of 10--if it is assumed that the persons studied were not exposed workers (not routinely monitored for radiation exposure). Investigate alternative materials to thoriated tungsten. Again, the only way you can get sick from tungsten is if you ingest it or inhale it in its powdered form, which does not happen when wearing tungsten jewellery. Effects of long-term (chronic) exposure: Contains Thorium dioxide, which may cause blood system, liver or kidney damage. Thoriated tungsten electrodes contain thorium, a radioactive material that can pose health and environmental risks at elevated exposure levels. Therefore, welders can usually easily replace their radioactive 2% thoriated material with this tungsten and not Is thoriated tungsten safe? Marty Rice is a welding instructor at a high school career center in Texas. pose health and environmental risks at elevated exposure levels. The TIG electrode is consumed in the welding process but the material does not form part of the weld. tungsten. The potential for serious disease to occur as a result of occupational exposure to dust and fumes from thoriated tungsten electrodes remains. keep the tip cooler. Thorium is added to the tungsten because it increases the current carrying capacity of the electrode and it reduces contamination of the weld. Non-Radioactive. While 2% thoriated tungsten has been the most commonly used tungsten material for They Note: Grinding thoriated tungsten, make sure to collect the dust and have an adequate ventilation system. They confirm that the primary concern in using this material I sharpen my tungsten whenever it needs to be sharpened. Red tungsten is ideal for specialty AC welding, including but not limited to welding materials less than 0.0andand for thin-gauge aluminum. This tungsten is used primarily in DC welding. What tungsten is used for aluminum? Don't use a 2 percent thoriated tungsten electrode. For quite some time, tungsten manufacturers have added an oxide to pure tungsten to improve the arc starting characteristics Since they have better welding performance than pure tungsten electrodes, thus, they are widely used in direct current welding, especially under overload current, they can sill have a good performance. What should gauges read on oxy-acetylene torch? of grinding dust. Dust particles from this grinding process can cause internal radiation exposure if the dust is accidentally ingested or inhaled, so caution is necessary. Tungsten is a non-consumable electrode that has the highest melting point of any metal (3,410 degrees Celsius or 6,170 degrees Fahrenheit). Easily access valuable industry resources now with full access to the digital edition of The WELDER. Therefore, Pro-Fusion Use a pure tungsten or zirconiated tungsten electrodewhen AC welding aluminum. Minnesota metal fabricator looks around the bend with part automation, The job shop helping to maintain the information superhighway, Smart inspection planning boosts quality without slowdown, Workforce training and automation, recurrent interwoven themes at FABTECH 2022, How stamping manufacturers retrofit presses with linear servo technology, Step-by-step process for rebuilding a mechanical stamping press gearbox, How to attract a new generation of welders with advanced technologies, Aluminum Etc. An official website of the United States government. used for lower amperage DC welding applications. During manufacturing, thorium is evenly dispersed throughout the electrode. have to make any welding program changes. To achieve the proper shape, first grind the tungsten to a taper as explained above, then grind 0,2-0,5 mm the tip of the electrode to obtain a flat end. The .gov means its official. The isotopes of radiological relevance are 232Th, 230Th, and 228Th. At the moment, a proposal has been placed before the European Community Commission FOIA the grinding operation, and that the dust from the grinding equipment and the spent tips are disposed of in a sealed container * Exposure to Tungsten Carbide combined with Cobalt or Nickel can cause a lung allergy with wheezing, coughing and shortness of breath. In addition, we offer the Sharpshooter Tungsten Electrode Grinder for preparing your electrode tip geometry in a consistent manner and Pre-Ground Welding Electrodes that provide guaranteed electrode accuracy because they are produced according to extreme tolerances. In which interaction both partners are adversely affected? Supplier: Eagle Alloys Corporation . In addition, it is easier to start the arc and the latter is more stable. 2003;103(4):349-57. doi: 10.1093/oxfordjournals.rpd.a006152. Most commonly used non-radioactive tungsten. The airborne activity generated through welding, and through grinding of electrodes, was measured using personal air samplers. Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. electrodes than for lanthanated. Santamaria AB, Cushing CA, Antonini JM, Finley BL, Mowat FS. How should a thoriated tungsten electrode be prepared for welding? The Thorium used in 2% thoriated tungsten is a radioactive element and therefore can be dangerous to the health of those exposed to it and to the environment. This material is commonly used for lower amperage DC welding applications. The single most important aspect of proper electrode grinding is that the grind be done longitudinally. Thorium-232 exposure during tungsten inert gas arc welding and electrode sharpening. 1989 Feb;56(2):165-8. doi: 10.1097/00004032-198902000-00003. Repeated exposure may cause scarring of the lungs (pulmonary fibrosis). He looked into the costs and offered the following cost breakdown: Welders seem to prefer the lanthanated over the ceriated, McIntyre said. NCI CPTC Antibody Characterization Program. The radiological concern is the inhalation of airborne thorium. Score: 4.7/5 (51 votes) . What color Tungsten should be used for stainless steel? 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The isotopes of radiological relevance are 232Th, 230Th, and 228Th. In summary, 2% thoriated, 2% ceriated and two manufacturer's 1% lanthanated Before They both can be used for both DC and AC welding so you can use them to weld aluminum alloys, magnesium alloys, copper alloys, titanium alloys, nickel alloys, and all types of steels. What is the difference between sister and non sister chromatids? We recommend lanthanated tungsten as the best tungsten for welding aluminum and just about any other metal as well. You would have to inhale a lot of dust though The MSDS sheet supplied with most thorated tungsten simply say don't breath the grinding dust or particles and vacuum up all dust and particles and properly dispose of it. The American Welding Society, in their A5.12 "Specification for Tungsten and Tungsten-Alloy Electrodes for Arc Welding and Cutting" states the following on this issue: "Thorium is radioactive and may present hazards by external and internal exposure. government site. 32904 800-431-1311 to a lesser extent during breathing of any fumes released during welding. The main risk to the welder occurs in the ingestion Because many qualified welders have very long careers, the risks can thus be considerable. Is tungsten carbide toxic? Accessibility Guest Emily Wilkins of Marketing Metal joins hosts Dan Davis and Jim Gorzek to talk about how job 2022 FMA Communications, Inc. All rights reserved. Clipboard, Search History, and several other advanced features are temporarily unavailable. to drastically increase the severity of legal regulations with respect to the use and disposal of thoriated electrodes. Leading Provider Of Industrial Solutions 6909 Vickie Circle West Melbourne, Fl. Because thoriated tungsten rods contain thorium, which is a low-level radioactive material, they could pose health and environmental concerns if proper precautions are not taken. Therefore, facilities that stock both J Toxicol Environ Health B Crit Rev. It is an alpha emitter, however when it is inside a tungsten electrode rod, it is enclosed in Thoriated tungsten electrodes are the most popular electrodes used in the world. PMC For the best possible arc stability, diamond grinding of tungsten electrodes should be done with the length of the electrode at a 90 angle to the axis of the grinding wheel. of this study included: Another study was conducted in Germany by the State of Bavaria, Department for Development and Environmental issues. Thoriated (Color Code: Red) They are the most commonly used electrodes today and are preferred for their longevity and ease of use. This allows it to carry more heat and reduces the potential for tungsten inclusions. It is these dust particles that create the major hazard, as they may be inhaled, and the thoria may release alpha particles from the surface." Even so, "the risk of cancer in TIG welders due to thoria exposure is very low, since the exposure times to individuals are invariably small," the article reported. better than or equal to the thoriated electrodes. This magazine has served the welding community in North America well for more than 20 years. of the TH-Aachen and at the Schweisstechnische Zentralanstalt in Vienna. The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the Product Name: Tungsten-Thoriated - wire, rod . 178 West Park Court . and transmitted securely. My fabrication shop runs 14 gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) booths for two 10-hour shifts, six days a week, and we use a lot of .09375-inch-diameter, 2 . This risk can be mitigated to an extent by taking safety measures during grinding. Consider using Pre-Ground Electrodes. Follow the manufacturers MSDS. Prolonged or repeated skin contact may cause drying and cracking of the skin . Subsequent operations such as grinding, melting or welding may produce potentially hazardous dust or fumes which can be inhaled or come in contact with the skin or eyes. What metal is thoriated tungsten used for? Can you use 2 thoriated tungsten to weld aluminum? Thoriated tungsten electrodes contain thorium, a radioactive material that can pose health and environmental risks at elevated exposure levels. This site needs JavaScript to work properly. stock only one tungsten type. Brian Wise, a welding and metal fabrication instructor at Herndon Career Center, Raytown, Mo., sent me some good information about using 1.5 percent lanthanated tungsten as an alternative, which I sent to Matt. Talbott, TN 37877 . While they are all marginally radioactive, the risk is even lower than with thoria, so no specific precautions are needed. They go on to say: "during the grinding of electrode tips there is generation of radioactive dust, with the risk of internal exposure. Use a pure tungsten or zirconiated tungsten electrode when AC welding aluminum. Thoriated Tungsten Electrodes AWS disclaims liability for any injury to persons or to property, or other damages of any nature whatsoever, whether special, indirect, . 2007 Nov-Dec;10(6):417-65. doi: 10.1080/15287390600975004. What are other options? Sharpen one side of the pure-tungsten electrode to a spiky tip using a bench grinder. Consider using high quality 1% lanthanated tungsten as an alternative. Features: Non-Radioactive. Overexposure to fumes and gases from welding can be dangerous to health. More recently, 1% lanthanated tungsten has emerged as what could be the future standard for tungsten electrodes. In addition, they mentioned that thoriated tungsten electrodes stored in boxes on a shelf do Does cost vary significantly (not that cost should matter when it comes to health or safety)? a warning such as the one Osram Sylvania uses, which is, "WARNING: This product contains or produces a chemical known to the HHS Vulnerability Disclosure, Help (Select up to 3 total.) Remember that AC welding requires largerdiameter tungsten electrodes. A couple of them said sometimes it seems like the arc dances around from tungsten to workpiece in midweld with the ceriated, but [they] couldnt tell a difference between lanthanated and thoriated, except it seemed like the lanthanated kept its point longer, meaning [fewer] trips to the sander to resharpen. Telephone: 423-586-8738 The paper also discusses parameters that influence exposure, and it presents a catalogue of recommended measures for dosage reduction. This material is commonly Institute appropriate radiological controls to reduce potential State-of-the-science review: Does manganese exposure during welding pose a neurological risk? Non-radioactive 1% lanthanated tungsten is an It also makes a weld arc easier to start and makes the geometry of that arc more stable. On a sharp corner with a hammer, with two pliers, or with wire cutters. While they are all marginally radioactive, the risk is even lower than with thoria, so no specific precautions are needed. Tungsten welding rods, typically containing one or two percent by weight of naturally radioactive thorium oxide (hereafter referred to as thoriated tungsten welding rods), are widely used in industry. 4.2 Most important symptoms and effects, both acute and delayed . One thing about the company I work for is safety [comes] first, and if it costs a few extra dollars but is safer, they are all for it.. The most recommended metal is thoriated tungsten that contains thorium to some level. Sharpen the other edge of the electrode to a point too, exactly like the other end. It provides the optimal heat generation, bead formation, and weld penetration to give smoother welds. The guideline for this is approx. How To Sharpen / Grind A Tungsten Electrode. Put the sharpened electrode aside for 10 minutes, letting it cool down. Thoriated tungsten is the most commonly used in the United States. Thorium is added to the tungsten because it increases the current carrying capacity of the electrode and it reduces contamination of the weld. A thoriated TIG welding rod will emit alpha, beta and gamma radiation from the thorium and its decay products. levels may still be too high. Please enable it to take advantage of the complete set of features! Large amounts may cause gastrointestinal discomfort. No differences could be ascertained regarding the arc starting behavior. Non-Radioactive Tungsten Materials The first one, introduced in the 1980's, is most commonly available as 2% ceriated tungsten. Health Phys. State of California to cause cancer. He is a certified welder and has won several welding competitions. Expert Answers: Thoriated tungsten electrodes contain thorium, a radioactive material that can pose health and environmental risks at elevated exposure levels. What are other options? 2% Ceriated Tungsten is best for use in alternating current (a/c) or direct current (d/c) applications using inverter or transformer based constant current power sources. The Air Force conducted a study of 1% lanthanated tungsten versus 2% thoriated tungsten to evaluate arc starting characteristics, Dont use a 2 percent thoriated tungsten electrode. TIG welders, along with persons who grind thoriated electrodes and persons located near relevant welding and grinding sites, might be at risk of thorium intake. However, the risk of cancer in TIG welders due to thoria exposure is very low, since the exposure times to individuals are invariably small. To accomplish this, a field test was conducted under real working conditions in 26 different welding shops. Thoriated tungsten electrodes contain thorium, a radioactive material that can. We offer Superior Quality 1% Lanthanated Tungsten in a variety of diameters. Thoriated tungsten electrodes contain thorium, a radioactive material that can pose health and environmental risks at elevated exposure levels. This aids in arc starting and stability, as well as longevity, because the additional volume of oxides electrodes. Every 3-4 welds, unless the welds are a couple feet long I'd say you're sharpening way more often than what I would consider normal. He is an honorary member of the Ironworkers Local 263. The saturation current from a thoriated-tungsten cathode at . Further, "The HSE has recommended to factory inspectors that, where thoriated tungsten electrodes It is known for its durability, ability to withstand high currents, and excellent arc starts. Alternatives to thoriated tungsten Lanthanum, cerium, yttrium and zirconium oxides can all be used with tungsten. * Exposure to cemented Tungsten Carbide may result in exposure to Nickel or Cobalt. the storage and use of thoriated tungsten electrodes. Another cause of excessive tungsten electrode consumption is using too high of amperage for a given diameter of tungsten, regardless of whether it is on an AC or DC application. 1 PRODUCT AND SUPPLIER IDENTIFICATION . Thoriated tungsten electrodes contain thorium, a radioactive material that can pose health and environmental risks at elevated exposure levels. Thorium is a low-level radioactive material that primarily To begin with, different electrodes have different colored bands that are used to identify them. We recommend you flatten or blunt the tip of the tungsten electrode after sharpening. Thoriated tungsten electrodes contain thorium, a radioactive material that can pose health and environmental risks at elevated exposure levels. are not necessary for the quality of the weld, users should be encouraged to look for alternatives.". TE002 Tungsten Electrodes (Thoriated) Version number: 2 Replaces SDS: 2009-11-23 Issued: 2014-01-21 Page 1 of 10 . Red tungsten is also preferred for DC welding using straight polarity or electrode negative on nickel, steel, stainless steel and titanium. Rare Earth (Purple) Electrodes It is the perfect substitute for red thoriated electrodes. They used 5/32" diameter electrodes to weld 6061-T6 Aluminum and 304 stainless steel The thoriated red electrode is ideal for stainless steel welds. Two solid options include Blue Demon or Weldcraft. However, even though dust collection provides a significant improvement, I wish all companies felt that way! Q: In "TIG welding--An overview," you said you used 2 percent thoriated tungsten until you heard about the health risks. TIG welders, along with persons who grind thoriated electrodes and persons located near relevant welding and grinding sites, might be at risk of thorium intake. They perform well in DC applications and are great for welding copper alloys, nickel alloys, titanium alloys, and stainless steel. On this basis, many organizations INGESTION: Rinse mouth with water. official website and that any information you provide is encrypted Thoriated tungsten electrodes are preferred by some welders over the pure tungsten ones because they result in improved welding properties. The commonly used 2% thoriated tungsten type is a potential health hazard. While they are all marginally radioactive, the risk is even lower than with thoria, so no specific precautions are needed. The Danish Welding Institute estimates that of 1200 full-time TIG welders, a cancer incidence of 0-3 may occur during a thirty year working life. Huntingdon Fusion Techniques HFT s blue-tipped MultiStrike Tungsten Electrodes contain a mix of non-radioactive rare earth elements, eliminating the risk to health posed by radio-toxic thoriated Tungsten Electrodes, whilst maintaining a high performing Tungsten Electrode. In addition, it is easier to start the arc and the latter is more stable. with a Miller 350 Synchrowave GTAW machine. For instance, a thoriated tungsten electrode has a greater current carrying capacity than pure tungsten. Nevertheless, these electrodes are usually referred to as TIG welding rods. They found that in every case the service life of Q: In "TIG welding--An overview," you said you used 2 percent thoriated tungsten until you heard about the health risks. by weight content (as opposed to 2%) was chosen by three of the largest manufacturers as the optimum content amount based Good for low-alloyed steels, non-corroding steels, aluminum alloys, magnesium alloys, titanium alloys, nickel alloys, copper alloys. Why is it important to have a maintenance of welding tools and equipment. of the material. The studies described in the literature do not provide a consistent picture of the actual hazards, and changes in European and German radiological protection laws have now made it necessary to determine the risks. The first one, introduced in the 1980's, is most commonly available as 2% ceriated tungsten. Careers. The good thing with thoriated tungsten is that it supports radioactivity and it can work with radioactive materials, which reduces the risks of health or causes some other diseases. They go on to say: Europe has also recognized the dangers of 2% thoriated tungsten. of users of this material. ten percent of the electrode diameter an electrode with a diameter of 1.6 mm then has a blunt tip of approx. It has a low work function and provides a high load and amperage capability. 1.5 percent lanthanated tungsten costs $1.51 each. Disclaimer, National Library of Medicine Tungsten Thoriated SAFETY DATA SHEET Tungsten Thoriated . It is an alpha emitter, however when it is inside a tungsten electrode rod, it is enclosed in a tungsten matrix and so there is little radiation emitted externally. Enjoy full access to the digital edition of STAMPING Journal, which serves the metal stamping market with the latest technology advancements, best practices, and industry news. Now in a large enough quantities it can release enough radiation over time to cause health problems. Offers long electrode life under heavy or pulsing amperage loads. The WELDER, formerly known as Practical Welding Today, is a showcase of the real people who make the products we use and work with every day. Bethesda, MD 20894, Web Policies In fact, it holds a very high market share in sales for the orbital welding 2003 Jul;41(3):273-8. doi: 10.2486/indhealth.41.273. 1995 May;68(5):719-22. doi: 10.1097/00004032-199505000-00014. process. Radiat Prot Dosimetry. Some of the recommendations Effective August 27, 2014, electrode manufacturers and importers will need to possess a specific NRC license to .Dust particles from this grinding process can cause internal radiation exposure if the dust is accidentally ingested or inhaled, so caution is necessary. a stick of 1% (by weight) lanthanated tungsten actually contains 15% more oxides by volume than a stick of 2% (by weight) Either when it's been contaminated, or when the point erodes enough that the arc starts loosing focus. In addition, it removes the concerns of having radioactive thoriated grinding dust in your facility. This states that local exhaust ventilation should be provided during Thorium exposure during tungsten inert gas welding with thoriated tungsten electrodes. The concerns arise from the fact that the element thorium is radioactive. Preferred for their longevity and ease of use, 2% thoriated tungsten electrodes are the most commonly used electrodes today. study performed on 1% lanthanated tungsten. Ingestion: No health effects expected from small amounts. The use of these electrodes is exempt from Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) regulations. This will guarantee the electrode quality, tip geometry dimensions, and surface finish not seem to pose any potential hazards. There are several types of tungsten electrode such as pure tungsten, thoriated tungsten, and cerium tungsten used for TIG welding and plasma welding. TWI (The Welding Institute), which is the British equivalent What are the advantages of a thoriated tungsten? The Thorium used in 2% thoriated tungsten is a radioactive element and therefore can be dangerous to the health of those exposed to it and to the environment. Bookshelf What are three ways of breaking off the contaminated end of a tungsten electrode? In addition, since the lanthanum oxide material is less dense that thorium oxide, In both the lower and Conclusions It is concluded that: Thoriated electrodes present a risk of occupational exposure to harmful levels of radioactivity. Measurements of air concentrations of thorium during grinding and welding operations using thoriated tungsten electrodes. and the longevity of welding electrodes. The Thorium used in 2% thoriated tungsten is a radioactive element and therefore can be dangerous to the health of those exposed to it and to the environment. tungsten were compared by observing tip erosion after 300 DC arc strikes at both 70 amps and 150 amps. Also, the tip geometry was more stable at high current on the lanthanated to it and to the environment. The addition of thorium to this tungsten product results in easier arc starting, greater arc stability, reduced weld metal contamination, higher current-carrying capacity, and a longer electrode lifetime. Techweld Tungsten Non-Thoriated Non-Radiotoxic Non-Carcinogenic Techweld MultiStrike Tungsten Electrodes produce a 10 times more arc strikes over conventional tungsten, provides stable performance from 0 - 300 Amps. Thoriated Tungsten Electrodes . Easily access valuable industry resources now with full access to the digital edition of The FABRICATOR. In the State of California, tungsten manufacturers now include packaging of 2% thoriated tungsten electrodes that include For example, thoriated tungsten cannot be used in AC welding but lanthanated tungsten can be used for AC and DC, with few limitations, if any. Thoriated tungsten electrodes contain thorium, a radioactive material that can pose health and environmental risks at elevated exposure levels. Does cost vary significantly (not that cost should matter when it comes to health or safety)? J Toxicol Environ Health B Crit Rev. Using both high frequency and touch start, the lanthanated electrodes performed INHALATION: Remove to fresh air, keep warm and quiet, give oxygen if breathing is difficult. The Thorium used in 2% thoriated tungsten is a radioactive element and therefore can be dangerous to the health of those exposed 0.15 mm. for optimum weld results. Because the radioactive alpha particles in thorium are only a risk to humans if they are inhaled, ingested, or manage to work past the barrier of the skin, the risk of thoriated tungsten is mainly associated with grinding the tungsten. Area and breathing zone concentrations of 232Th generated by welding and electrode sharpening along with particle size information; isotopic composition of electrodes from two domestic manufacturers and one European manufacturer; and process variables and estimates on the number of thoriated tungsten electrodes manufactured are presented. Watch out for splatter, hot metal and slag. What are the benefits of friction stir welding? The working area shall be cleaned regularly in order to avoid contamination caused by deposited dust. thoriated tungsten. Fabricators & Manufacturers Association, Intl. The more significant danger to welders can occur when thorium oxide gets into the lungs. WP Pure Tungsten Green (Non-Radioactive) Low current capacity. This occurs primarily during the inhalation of dust caused during grinding of tips for welding, but also This tungsten is used primarily in DC welding. What is this? that it was not necessary to recertify existing weld procedures or operators when using lanthanated electrodes. have been performed. 8600 Rockville Pike In order to evaluate the feasibility of switching to 1% lanthanated tungsten for DC welding applications, a number of studies Color code and what it means The main colors/varieties of TIG electrodes and their American Welding Society abbreviation are as follows: Green (EWP) = Pure Tungsten, Orange (EWCe-2) = 2% Ceriated, Red (EWTh-2) = 2% Thoriated, Gold (EWLa-1.5) = 1.5% Lanthanated, Brown (EWZr-1) = 1% Zirconiated. In addition to providing a safe and effective alternative to 2% thoriated tungsten, thorium-free Tri-Mix Tungsten from Diamond Ground Products (Newbury Park, CA) outperform and cost less than E3, multistrike, and rare earth tungstens. What are three ways of breaking off the contaminated end of a tungsten electrode? He has worked in a variety of welding settings, including automotive, shipbuilding, and construction. sharing sensitive information, make sure youre on a federal Repeated exposure may cause scarring of the lungs (pulmonary fibrosis). But they contain thorium, a radioactive material that present health risks at elevated exposure levels. Easily access valuable industry resources now with full access to the digital edition of The Tube & Pipe Journal. Your Safety and Health Office NRC NUREG 1717 American Welding Society ANSI Z 49.1 SUMMARY Using thoriated tungsten welding rods can result in radiation exposures. When the significantly more restrictive German limits are applied, the amounts by which the limits were exceeded were even greater. Thoriated is also good but it has more limitations and produces radiation while lanthanated tungsten does not. 2% Ceriated Tungsten is best for use in alternating current (a/c) or direct current (d/c) applications using inverter or transformer based constant current power sources. . Seek medical attention. Independent investigations were carried out at the Institut de Soudure in Paris, the Institut fuer Schweisstechnische Fertigungsverfahren Pro-Fusion specializes in optimizing the often-overlooked tungsten electrode variable in the weld process. One source didnt indicate any health risks associated with thoriated tungsten, but any time I see the word radiation, Im going to go way overboard on safety. Perform a hazard analysis before using the thoriated tungsten welding rods to evaluate needed controls. Unable to load your collection due to an error, Unable to load your delegates due to an error. . 2 percent thoriated tungsten costs $1.02 each. Thoriated tungsten Product Comparison Guide Use the product attributes below to configure the comparison table. The Thorium used in 2% thoriated tungsten is a radioactive element and therefore can be dangerous to the health of those exposed to it and to the environment. Last Update: October 15, 2022 This is a question our experts keep getting from time to time. Thoriated tungsten electrodes contain thorium, a radioactive material that can pose health and environmental risks at elevated exposure levels. Thorium is radioactive. If you are AC TIG welding aluminum for the first time we would suggest using a 2% ceriated in 3/32. Finally, they concluded Alternatives to thoriated tungsten Lanthanum, cerium, yttrium and zirconium oxides can all be used with tungsten. What is the Green tungsten? It has a low work function and provides a high load and amperage capability. higher amperage tests, the 1% lanthanated tungsten showed the least amount of tip erosion and the most consistent arc behavior. particles is four times greater than with extraction. In a highly detailed study conducted by the DVS (the German Welding Society), they measured the amounts of radioactive alpha This evenness allows the electrode to maintain a sharpened edge the ideal electrode shape for welding thin steel. It may cause skin burn and cause fire. to a landfill disposal site." If * Exposure to Tungsten Carbide combined with Cobalt or Nickel can cause a lung allergy with wheezing, coughing and shortness of breath. concluded that in facilities where there is no dust extraction system for thoriated tungsten grinding, the exposure to harmful Would you like email updates of new search results? The Thorium used in 2 per cent Thoriated tungsten is a radioactive element and therefore can be dangerous to the health of those exposed to it and to the environment. In the forecasted period of 2022 to 2028, the . Quick Tips: Tungsten + TIG Welding with Eastwood! is in ingesting dust produced while grinding points on electrodes. Thorium increases the electron emission qualities of the electrode, which improves arc starts and allows for a higher current-carrying capacity. The 2% Ceriated Tungsten from CK is best at low amperage ranges. Easily access valuable industry resources now with full access to the digital edition of The Fabricator en Espaol. developed. alternative to this material that provides for an easy transition and often produces better performance. particles and gamma energy sprectra in the ambient air during the grinding of tungsten electrodes. Definition of thoriate : to impregnate (an electron-tube cathode) with thoria in order to increase the thermionic emission. Thorium is a low-level radioactive material that primarily emits alpha particles as well as some beta and gamma radiation. Wes is passionate about teaching others welding and enjoys sharing his knowledge with others. makes the following recommendations: Superior Quality 1% Lanthanated Tungsten, Privacy Policy, Shipping, Terms & Conditions. Finally, one of the major U.S. tungsten manufacturers, Teledyne Tungsten Products, list the following cautions/warnings in Good for low-alloyed steels, non-corroding steels, aluminum alloys, magnesium alloys, titanium alloys, nickel alloys, copper alloys. The 1% Alternatives to thoriated tungsten Lanthanum, cerium, yttrium and zirconium oxides can all be used with tungsten. The EWTh-2 tungsten electrode is color-coded with a red band. In addition, the electrode consumption rate was higher for thoriated It is recommended to work, if possible, without the use of welding electrodes containing Thorium. Thoriated electrodes are used in TIG welding. Is tungsten harmful to health? current capability, and penetration. Other: Tungsten-Th, Thoriated Tungsten, Tungsten Thoria . It has the ability to resist thermal shock which provides the user with excellent ignition with a lower burn off rate. Is TIG welding radioactive? Wes Rose is an expert welder with over 15 years of experience. The results clearly showed that considerable intake can occur during both alternating-current welding and electrode grinding, if no suction systems are used. have evaluated alternative tungsten types to see what changes in performance they would see by transitioning to non-radioactive Thoriated tungsten welding rods have been used in TIG arc welding since 1951. . Number #1 Supplier in U.S.A. * Exposure to Tungsten Carbide combined with Cobalt or Nickel can cause a lung allergy with wheezing, coughing and shortness of breath. Can i use thoriated tungsten to weld aluminum? Thanks, Matt. Saito H, Hisanaga N, Okada Y, Hirai S, Arito H. Ind Health. 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