What Are the Differences of Barium Tungsten Electrodes and Tungsten Electrodes?

Barium tungsten electrodes have unique properties that differentiate them from other types of tungsten electrodes. Here are the key differences as following: 

Electron Emission Properties:

BaW Electrodes: they are known for their excellent electron emission properties. The addition of barium to the tungsten material enhances its electron emission capability, making it efficient in applications requiring controlled electron emission, such as cathode ray tubes (CRTs).

Other W Electrodes: Other electrodes, such as pure tungsten or thoriated tungsten, do not have the same high electron emission characteristics as barium-strontium tungsten cathodes. They are typically used in applications where electron emission efficiency is not critical.

Applications:

BaW Electrodes: They are primarily used in electron beam devices like CRTs for televisions and computer monitors. They are designed for applications that demand stable and efficient electron emission.

Other W Electrodes: Other types of electrodes find use in various applications, including welding, electrical contacts, lighting, and more. The choice of tungsten electrode material depends on the specific requirements of the application.

High-Temperature Tolerance:

BaW Electrodes: Barium-strontium tungsten cathodes can withstand high temperatures during electron emission. They maintain stable emission even at elevated temperatures, which is crucial for CRT operation.

Other W Electrodes: The high-temperature tolerance of other tungsten electrodes may vary depending on the specific tungsten alloy and application. Some tungsten alloys may not have the same level of high-temperature tolerance as barium tungsten cathodes.

Chinatungsten Online is a professional manufacturer of tungsten and molybdenum for nearly thirty years. We can supply barium tungsten electrodes/cathodes in regular or customized drawings. Please free feel to contact us when you got the purchasing plans.

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The Differences Between Cerium Tungsten Electrode and Thorium Tungsten Electrode

With the continuous development of science and technology such as welding, cutting and spraying technology, manufacturers have higher and higher requirements for tungsten electrodes, such as easy arc starting, stable arc column and long service life.

In order to improve the deficiencies of pure tungsten electrodes, researchers often add an appropriate amount of modifiers such as cerium oxide (CeO2) or thorium oxide in the production process, and the prepared products are naturally called corresponding electrodes such as cerium tungsten electrode (WC20) and thorium tungsten electrode (WT20). The two electrodes have many differences in terms of performance and production process.

1. Concept

WC20 is a tungsten electrode containing about 2% cerium oxide with gray color code; WT20 is a tungsten electrode containing 1-1.2% thorium oxide with red color code. 

2. Physical and Chemical properties

WC20 has the characteristics of low melting rate, ablation resistance, good weldability, easy arc starting, high arc column stability, and no radioactivity. Under certain conditions, with the increase of CeO2 content, the ablation resistance and arc starting performance of the electrode will also increase.

The advantages of WT20 include low electron work function, strong current carrying capacity, good electrical conductivity, mechanical cutting and welding, etc., but the main disadvantage is radioactivity.

3. Production

The production process of the two electrodes is similar. The basic steps are to prepare tungsten-cerium powder or tungsten-thorium powder, then press it into a billet, and finally perform pre-sintering, high-temperature sintering, hot swaging, straightening, cutting, and cleaning in sequence.

4. Use

WC20 electrodes can be used in DC welding, AC welding, plasma welding/cutting/spraying/smelting; WT20 electrodes are generally used in direct current welding, as direct current negative electrodes or positive electrode materials such as stainless steel and nickel alloys, and are also key electrodes for argon arc welding, plasma welding and other processes.

If you have any inquiry of tungsten electrodes, please feel free to contact us:

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Tungsten Alloy Milling Processing Differences

Up-milling and down-milling, which are all belonging to milling processing of tungsten alloy, because the cutting thickness when cutting into the workpiece is different, and the contact length between the tooth and the workpiece is different, so the degree of wear of the milling cutter is different. When down-milling, the durability of the milling cutter is 2 to 3 times higher than that of up-milling, and the surface is rough The degree can also be reduced. But down milling is not suitable for milling hard-skinned workpieces. The power consumption of down milling is smaller than that of up milling. Under the same cutting conditions, the power consumption of down milling is 5% to 15% lower. At the same time, down milling is also more conducive to chip removal. Generally, down milling should be used as much as possible to improve the surface finish (reduce roughness) of the processed parts and ensure dimensional accuracy. However, when there is a hard layer, slag accumulation on the cutting surface, and significant unevenness on the surface of the workpiece, such as processing a forging blank, the up-milling method should be used.

More differences are, when down milling, the cutting thickness becomes thinner, and the cutter teeth cut into the unmachined surface, which is beneficial to the use of the milling cutter. In up-milling, when the cutter teeth of the milling cutter contact the workpiece, they cannot cut into the metal layer immediately, but slide a short distance on the surface of the workpiece. During the sliding process, due to strong friction, a large amount of heat will be generated, and at the same time, the surface to be machined It is easy to form a hardened layer, which reduces the durability of the tool, affects the surface finish of the workpiece, and brings disadvantages to cutting. In addition, during up-milling, since the cutter teeth cut from bottom to top (or from the inside to the outside) and cut in from the hard surface layer, the cutter teeth are subjected to a great impact load, and the milling cutter becomes dull faster, but the cutter teeth cut in There is no slippage in the process, and the worktable will not move during cutting.

If you have any inquiry of WHA processing, please feel free to contact us:

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