TIG electrode type - transformer vs. inverter

[Samurai Dave]

The TIG machines at school use transformers. The Dynasty 200DX uses an inverter.

Has anyone noticed a difference in how their TIG electrode performs when swapping between the two types of technology?

What are your preferences for flavor (pure, Zirconiated, Lanthinated, Ceriated, etc.) of TIG electrodes for your inverter-based machine, for welding aluminum, mild or stainless steel?

Thank you in advance for sharing your experiences.

[Fat-Fab.com]

Ceriated and Lanthanated are preferred for inverter machines.
Pure is good when using a transformer on aluminum. 2% is used often on steel and steel alloys running a transformer machine.

They all will work anywhere performance is enhanced as stated above.

More info at http://www.millerwelds.com/education...ints_tips.html

[phaxtris]

i use the 2% thorated (red) for everything, on tansformer or inverter machines, aluminum or steel, never had a problem with die pen or x-rays, IMO just simplify's things, no need for changing tungsten all the time

the red is also nice IMO because it doesnt get contaminated as easily as the pure (green) tungsten

[Samurai Dave]

Leaning toward Lanthinated

Ceriated and Lanthanated are preferred for inverter machines.
Pure is good when using a transformer on aluminum. 2% is used often on steel and steel alloys running a transformer machine.

They all will work anywhere performance is enhanced as stated above.

More info at http://www.millerwelds.com/education...ints_tips.html

The Dynasty 200 DX inverter seems to like the Lanthinated for mild and stainless steel. I found Zirconiated worked well on the transformer TIG box at school for aluminum, but not so hot on the Dynasty. I'll definitely try Lanthinated on aluminum, especially if I can standardize on a single flavor of tungsten.

Thank you for the link.

Here's one that seems to support Lanthinated for inverters as well. http://www.terracesupply.com/LEARN%2...20TUNGSTEN.pdf

[Samurai Dave]

Single tungsten gets my vote

i use the 2% thorated (red) for everything, on tansformer or inverter machines, aluminum or steel, never had a problem with die pen or x-rays, IMO just simplify's things, no need for changing tungsten all the time

the red is also nice IMO because it doesnt get contaminated as easily as the pure (green) tungsten

I was using Lanthinated for mild and stainless on the transformer box @ school, and Zirconiated on aluminum. It was a hassle to keep them seperate, since the only way to tell them apart is the painted band on the end (which wears off after a while ). I agree that a single tungsten will simplify my life.

Looking forward to trying Lanthinated on aluminum with the Dynasty.

[triggerman]

Machine differences....

Thank you Miller for providing such great resources.


Here is some info for you on machine differences:

http://www.millerwelds.com/education...rticle108.html

[Samurai Dave]

And the winner is ... Lanthinated

The Dynasty 200DX really liked the Lantinated (1.5%) electrode for aluminum. In a prior test, when I used Zirconiated the rod would glow like it was getting too much heat. With the same settings, the Lanthinated slightly balled-up and almost immediately began a puddle. Plenty of control and heat to the aluminum.

I already have 1/16th Sylvania (made in the USA) electrodes, so with a box of 3/32 on the way, I'm set. Theoretically, the 3/32 electrocde will take 200 amps for 3/8" aluminum. The 1/16" seemed fine with 125 amps, so I'm ready for any project up to the max output of my TIG rig.

Thanks to all for the good advice.

[Laiky]

I use Lanthanated, i tried 1.5 but now i use 2% since it seems to last longer. I tried ceriated but it didn't seem to like the heat as much as the Lanth. In my opinion and many other's too. 2% lanth is all you need with the dynasty 200