Is 2% Lanthinated tungstons newer to the market

[Doug Doty]

Is 2% Lanthinated tungstons newer to the market or just coming into it's own, I have not found many people stocking it.

Had to order it here in town and fully expect them to tell me their supplier don't carry it about the time it is due.

Got it from Tungston Direct on Ebay last time and wish I would have again, that way I know when it WILL arrive.

[CarmenElectrode]

The 2% Lanthanated is definitely not new. Well, at least not in the last couple of years since I've been in the industry. 1.5% is more common. I have not found anyone that can tell me if there is a huge difference between the two. Especially true in manual welding applications.

For an automated welding application, if your job has spec'd out 2% Lanthanated tungsten, or any other tungsten for that matter, I wouldn't switch.

I know Weldcraft with their new line of tungsten only offers 1.5% Lanthanated,
and to find the best available, they tested everything in the Miller lab....

[fun4now]

i dont think its a question of the tungsten being new but rather there being more inverter TIG units out in the home shops as well as the smaller shops as the inverters become more common the need for the tungsten becomes greater and as such more start to carie it.
simple suply and demand, with more inverters out its only natural to have a higher demand for the tungsten that works the best on them.
as for the diference between the 1.5% & the 2% lanthanated.
i found the starts to be prity much identical between the 2. the big diference was in heat survivability. the 2% stands up to the heat much better alowing it to hold its point or flat spot much longer and at higher amp's.
after trying several types, all i use now is 2% lanthanated. i just sharpen it acording to the job i intend to do be it a DC aplication or an AC aplication. all you have to change is the angel and or point/ flat spot and the same tungsten has optemum performance in a multitude of amps as well as AC or DC aplication.
its also starting to become more and more common to see it being used in transformers as well for its ability to outlast the pure and help controle the arc.
if you have not tryed it you defenetly should.:D

[Sundown]

The 2% Lanthanated is definitely not new. Well, at least not in the last couple of years since I've been in the industry. 1.5% is more common. I have not found anyone that can tell me if there is a huge difference between the two. Especially true in manual welding applications.

For an automated welding application, if your job has spec'd out 2% Lanthanated tungsten, or any other tungsten for that matter, I wouldn't switch.

I know Weldcraft with their new line of tungsten only offers 1.5% Lanthanated,
and to find the best available, they tested everything in the Miller lab....

Go to Europe and most everyone uses 2% ceriated, go figure, like your new avatar BTW ... very cool ...