Tungsten Electrode Standards
Tungsten electrodes are critical electrodes used in arc welding, plasma welding, and cutting applications. Their chemical composition, dimensions, color codes, and quality requirements are governed by relevant standards. The industry mainly follows China national standard, international standard, and American standard. What are the main standards for tungsten electrodes? There are three major standards:
1.China National Standard GB/T 31908-2015
GB/T 31908-2015, Tungsten Electrodes for Arc Welding and Plasma Welding and Cutting, is the current China national standard for non-consumable tungsten electrodes used in arc welding, plasma welding, and plasma cutting applications. GB/T 31908-2015 specifies: (1) tungsten electrode classifications and grade designations; (2) chemical composition and oxide content requirements; (3) color coding requirements; (4) dimensions and permissible tolerances; (5) appearance quality requirements; (6) test methods; (7) inspection rules; (8) packaging, marking, transportation, and storage requirements.
The standard covers common grades including WP pure tungsten electrodes, WC20 ceriated tungsten electrodes, WL10/WL15/WL20 lanthanated tungsten electrodes, WT10/WT20/WT30/WT40 thoriated tungsten electrodes, WZ3/WZ8 zirconiated tungsten electrodes, and WY20 yttriated tungsten electrodes. It also adopts internationally recognized color identification systems.
2.International Standard ISO 6848:2015
ISO 6848:2015, Arc Welding and Cutting — Nonconsumable Tungsten Electrodes — Classification, is an international tungsten electrode standard published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). It is one of the most widely adopted technical specifications for tungsten electrodes worldwide. ISO 6848:2015 specifies: (1) tungsten electrode classifications and designation systems; (2) oxide additive types and content ranges; (3) color coding requirements; (4) dimensions and permissible tolerances; (5) product marking requirements; (6) chemical composition testing requirements; (7) acceptance rules.
ISO 6848:2015 establishes a globally unified classification system covering major electrode grades such as WP pure tungsten electrodes, WT thoriated tungsten electrodes, WC ceriated tungsten electrodes, WL lanthanated tungsten electrodes, WZ zirconiated tungsten electrodes, and WY yttriated tungsten electrodes. Today, most international tungsten electrode trade follows the ISO 6848 classification system.
3.American Standard A5.12M/A5.12:2024
A5.12M/A5.12:2024, Specification for Tungsten and Oxide Dispersed Tungsten Electrodes for Arc Welding and Cutting, was developed by the American Welding Society (AWS). A5.12M/A5.12:2024 specifies: (1) tungsten electrode classifications and grade designations; (2) chemical composition requirements; (3) color code identification requirements; (4) dimensions and tolerances; (5) product marking requirements; (6) inspection and acceptance requirements.
The global tungsten electrode industry primarily follows three major standards: GB/T 31908-2015, ISO 6848:2015, and A5.12M/A5.12:2024 for manufacturing, inspection, and acceptance. GB/T 31908-2015 serves as the current China national standard, ISO 6848:2015 is the leading international standard, and A5.12M/A5.12:2024 is an important technical specification widely adopted in the North American market. Together, these standards define tungsten electrode classifications, chemical compositions, color coding systems, dimensional tolerances, and quality requirements, providing important criteria for evaluating tungsten electrode performance and quality.
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