What the Heck is this....... on my Tungsten.......

admin

I didn't touch........Started with a freshly ground tungsten.....Clean metal.......Yet.... after just a few passes..... I get this Halo......... on my Tungsten.....Weld quality is still fine.... but irritating to look at so I sharpen anyway......3/32.... 2% Lanthanated...... mild steel...... mill scale removed.......What the heck is this? does anyone else get this.....PIC....... Attached ImagesPrecision TIG 185 and MP 210Bobcat 225NTCutmaster 42O/A tanks.... 2 Argon tanks...... 2 C25 TanksFacebook...... F2 Metal WorksETSY....... https://www.etsy.com/shop/F2MetalWorksF2MetalWorks.com....... http://www.f2metalworks.com/
Reply:Check this out Describes your tungsten "beard"[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8fjZOkWm0PQ[/ame]Dave J.Dave J.Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance. ~George Bernard Shaw~ Syncro 350Invertec v250-sThermal Arc 161 and 300MM210DialarcTried being normal once, didn't take....I think it was a Tuesday.
Reply:I get it too... I just assumed it was caused by the heat of the arc and the finely sharpened point.
Reply:Get that often, usually on the smaller cylinders of argon. Like Dave posted, seems to be from moisture in the argon. Usually it doesn't seem to cause any trouble welding but sometimes it seems to cause the arc to "spread" like if you try welding with a contaminated tungsten.Airco Ac/Dc 300 HeliwelderMillerMatic 200 (stolen)Miller Maxstar 150STLMiller AEAD200LE (welding and generating power) Hobart MIG
Reply:Well holy smokes.....I am going to try that dryer thing..........Thanks........Precision TIG 185 and MP 210Bobcat 225NTCutmaster 42O/A tanks.... 2 Argon tanks...... 2 C25 TanksFacebook...... F2 Metal WorksETSY....... https://www.etsy.com/shop/F2MetalWorksF2MetalWorks.com....... http://www.f2metalworks.com/
Reply:That's how lanthanated works, you just live with it or buy ceriated or rare earth stuff, it get's worse after some arc time but I guess you have to clean the tungsten anyway before it will affect the arc.--------------------------------------------------------------www.becmotors.nlyup, I quit welding.. joined welder anonymous
Reply:Originally Posted by DonoharmThat's how lanthanated works, you just live with it or buy ceriated or rare earth stuff, it get's worse after some arc time but I guess you have to clean the tungsten anyway before it will affect the arc.
Reply:Originally Posted by weldermikeI get it Donoharm with ceriated as well. .
Reply:Originally Posted by DonoharmThat's weird , I never got that with ceriated, started to use lanthanated a few years ago (for aluminium at first then for everything) and I got this "stuff" only on DC and only in higher amp range for the tungsten thickness .I did some testing though and when I changed the tungsten to old ceriated it didn't happen..same machine, gas bottle, settings, material...One thing I observed is the grinding grit used for sharpening makes a bit of difference.My fixed shade is all dirty and I can barely see anyway so it doesn't bother me that much
Reply:I run orbital welders daily and we get the "halo" your showing all the time.  We use to run thoriated now run lanthanated and both will get the crust. Has absolutely no effects on x-ray. We consider it a sign all is going well.
Reply:All I use is thoriated red tungsten for dc tig. Never seen a beard on my tungsten like that.JasonLincoln Idealarc 250 stick/tigThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 52Miller Bobcat 250Torchmate CNC tableThermal Arc Hefty 2Ironworkers Local 720
Reply:Ohhh a bearded  tungsten. It's a mark of age and wisdom  - - yes?Hey~!! It's a hobby. It's not supposed to make sense~!!
Reply:Originally Posted by weld.comWhat you are experiencing when welding steel is the out gassing of phosphorous and sulfur. These elements are paramount in the manufacturing of steel and you can verify the problem by going to another material such as stainless. You can improve the condition by utilizing a gas lens setup on your torch and making sure your post flow is set at 5-seconds minimum.
Reply:shovelon - I agree his solution sounds unlikely.  I have no background knowledge on the leaching issue you suggested - sounds plausible.My curiosity stems from others in the industry identifying the problem as moisture, installing a dryer, and the problem goes away.  Seems like problem identified correctly and fixed simply?Dave J.Dave J.Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance. ~George Bernard Shaw~ Syncro 350Invertec v250-sThermal Arc 161 and 300MM210DialarcTried being normal once, didn't take....I think it was a Tuesday.
Reply:Originally Posted by MinnesotaDaveshovelon - I agree his solution sounds unlikely.  I have no background knowledge on the leaching issue you suggested - sounds plausible.My curiosity stems from others in the industry identifying the problem as moisture, installing a dryer, and the problem goes away.  Seems like problem identified correctly and fixed simply?Dave J.
Reply:Good to know - all of mine are 2% thoriated anyway Dave J.Dave J.Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance. ~George Bernard Shaw~ Syncro 350Invertec v250-sThermal Arc 161 and 300MM210DialarcTried being normal once, didn't take....I think it was a Tuesday.
Reply:Originally Posted by MinnesotaDaveGood to know - all of mine are 2% thoriated anyway Dave J.
Reply:I get it once in awhile and use red all the time...Only happens with steel..Not aluminum..duh...Not stainless either.Here is what I have come up with.Dirty material.Grind off the millscale and clean with acetone..Check.Clean it again...Check.Still happens but it takes awhile.Cold rolled steel...Clean and prep...Same thing it takes awhile...Now it gets interesting..Repair worn journal on a roller...Clean as good as it gets without actually machining the surface prior to welding..Happens real fast.Rebuild the chucks I do all the time...Happens within 10 mins...Impurities in steel of any kind makes this happen..If I do stuff that is new and clean..machined surfaces that have had no oil or any sort of coolant and stuff like that.... It never happens.I also have a thought that we are using DCEN..Electrode NEGATIVE.So that must mean after a arc is happening the electricity is going from the piece to the tungsten. Correct?So therefore....so is all the crap along the route...It don't take much and most times it happens rather fast..I just hit it with a stainless toothbrush and keep going......zap!I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:Hmmmmmmmm  Howdy guys, long time......I been so slow I became a TV Judge show critic.......lol  Miller Dynasty 350Twenty Six HammersThree Crow BarsBig Rock
Reply:Originally Posted by zapsterI get it once in awhile and use red all the time...Only happens with steel..Not aluminum..duh...Not stainless either.Here is what I have come up with.Dirty material.Grind off the millscale and clean with acetone..Check.Clean it again...Check.Still happens but it takes awhile.Cold rolled steel...Clean and prep...Same thing it takes awhile...Now it gets interesting..Repair worn journal on a roller...Clean as good as it gets without actually machining the surface prior to welding..Happens real fast.Rebuild the chucks I do all the time...Happens within 10 mins...Impurities in steel of any kind makes this happen..If I do stuff that is new and clean..machined surfaces that have had no oil or any sort of coolant and stuff like that.... It never happens.I also have a thought that we are using DCEN..Electrode NEGATIVE.So that must mean after a arc is happening the electricity is going from the piece to the tungsten. Correct?So therefore....so is all the crap along the route...It don't take much and most times it happens rather fast..I just hit it with a stainless toothbrush and keep going......zap!
Reply:Originally Posted by zapsterI also have a thought that we are using DCEN..Electrode NEGATIVE.So that must mean after a arc is happening the electricity is going from the piece to the tungsten. Correct?So therefore....so is all the crap along the route......zap!
Reply:Just thinking out loud here guys..Looks like I have to turn down the brainbox....Might have stripped a gear or 2...But in the end it does not happen with virgin machined steel....zap!I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:Originally Posted by zapsterJust thinking out loud here guys..Looks like I have to turn down the brainbox....Might have stripped a gear or 2...But in the end it does not happen with virgin machined steel....zap!