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BWS187GZ - 1/8" Zirconiated Tungsten Electrodes (Brown) - Ground Finish

$312.00/pack Save 29% ($89.14)$222.86/pack

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OVERVIEW

The Specialist's Choice for Aluminum TIG Welding

If you are TIG welding aluminum or magnesium, you know that arc stability and cleanliness are everything. These Best Welds Zirconiated Tungsten Electrodes (Brown tip) are built to handle the specific demands of AC welding. While pure tungsten has been the old-school go-to, Zirconiated tungsten steps up the game by handling higher heat and amperage without falling apart.

Why choose these over pure tungsten? It comes down to the ball. When you are running AC, you need the tip to form a clean, stable ball to direct the arc smoothly. These electrodes ball up perfectly but resist "spitting"—that annoying phenomenon where chunks of tungsten break off and contaminate your beautiful aluminum weld. The 1/8" diameter is a workhorse size, perfect for structural aluminum work, automotive fabrication, and repairs on castings.

These rods come with a ground finish, meaning they are smooth and perfectly round right out of the box. This consistency helps the collet grip the tungsten securely, ensuring good electrical contact and preventing the rod from slipping or overheating inside the torch. Whether you are fixing a transmission housing or fabricating a boat hull, these brown-tip tungstens give you the control and reliability you need to lay down stack-of-dimes welds.

Additional Information
Tungsten Type:Zirconiated
Diameter:3.2 mm
Used To Weld:Aluminum
Packaging Description:10 pcs in a pack (10-pcs-in-a-pack)
Color Code:Brown
Length:7 in
Finish:Ground
AWS Classification:EWZr-1
Welding Current:AC
Material:Tungsten, Zirconium Oxide
Brand:Best Welds
Item:Tungsten Electrode

INCLUDED

  • 10 x Zirconiated Tungsten Electrodes (1/8" x 7")

APPLICATIONS

  • AC TIG welding of Aluminum alloys
  • AC TIG welding of Magnesium alloys
  • Aerospace and automotive fabrication
  • Structural aluminum welding
  • Precision casting repairs

FAQ

Zirconiated tungsten (Brown) handles higher amperage loads and resists contamination and spitting better than Pure tungsten (Green), while still retaining the ability to form a balled end for AC welding.

It is not recommended. Zirconiated tungsten is designed specifically for AC welding. For DC welding on steel or stainless, Thoriated, Lanthanated, or Ceriated tungsten is preferred.

The brown color code indicates that the tungsten is Zirconiated (EWZr-1), containing a small percentage of zirconium oxide.

For AC welding with Zirconiated tungsten, you typically do not sharpen it to a needle point. Instead, you prepare it by creating a balled end, or a slightly blunted point that will ball up once the arc is established.

A ground finish means the electrode has been mechanically ground to a precise diameter and smooth surface, providing better electrical contact with the collet and a more stable arc compared to a chemically cleaned finish.

A 1/8" (3.2mm) Zirconiated electrode typically operates well in the range of 150 to 250 amps on AC, depending on the balance and frequency settings.

No, Zirconiated tungsten is not radioactive. It is a safe alternative to Thoriated tungsten for AC applications.

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