Bending Tungsten

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About 2 months ago, I was trying to break some tungsten in two and I failed. I put it on a sharp corner and banged a tool into it and it did nothing. Then I put a notch in it with a grinder and tried to snap it in two with my hands. That's when the electrode started to bend. I've never seen it do that before. Since then, our company has switched over to Lanthanated. I think it's because they are discontinuing the production of thoriated. The only real difference I see is that I accidentally bend the stuff and it's not even glowing hot. I work in a vacuum chamber and my tungsten sticks out about 9 or so inches. When I get done welding, I hang up my torch and sometimes I bump the still-hot electrode into random things in the chamber. But the lanthanated stuff bends at a temperature that is less than you can see. Kind of an odd thing. Attached ImagesCommon sense in an uncommon degree is what the world calls wisdom.
Reply:cool. 1st on WeldingWeb to have a scrolling sig! HTP Invertig 400HTP Invertig 221HTP ProPulse 300HTP ProPulse 200 x2HTP ProPulse 220MTSHTP Inverarc 200TLP HTP Microcut 875SC
Reply:How long are those and what are you welding that needs a 9" stick out? That has to be just like stick welding with a filler rod added to the mix
Reply:I weld titanium alloy castings inside of a furnace, inside of a chamber. 9 inches is short compared to some other chamber welding at another facility where they commonly use 24 inch stickout for harder to reach areas in very large titanium castings.Common sense in an uncommon degree is what the world calls wisdom.
Reply:Zap will want some of that Tungsten, he showed me a trick for bending Tungsten to get at off angle and tight places. LOL"Si Vis Pacem Para Bellum"Lincoln Idealarc 250 AC/DCMillermatic 251   Syncrowave 300   30A spoolgunLincoln MP210Hypertherm 45(2) LN 25(2) Lincoln Weldanpower 225 CV(4) SA200   1 short hood    SA250    SAM 400
Reply:Heard of it happening but never seen it till now and very impressed.Welding Supervisor Department of Corrections.
Reply:Originally Posted by Brainfarthat another facility where they commonly use 24 inch stickout