Comparative Study on Fundamental Arc Characteristics with La-, Y-, Ce-Oxide Tungsten Electrodes

Study on GTA Cathode (1)

Abstract

A comparative study has been made of characteristics of gas-tungsten-arc (GTA) cathodes, consisting of tungsten mixed with a small quantity of lanthanum-, yttrium-, cerium-, thorium-, zirconuim- and magnesium-oxides respectively and pure tungsten. Arc starting performance, arc pressure, change in shape due to heavy loading are compared in DCEN polarity, and it is shown the superiority of La-oxide, Y-oxide and Ce-oxide electrodes in above characteristics.