Skip to Main Content
Canadian
Canadian owned and operated

BWS0407GE3 - E3 Purple Rare Earth Tungsten Electrodes 0.040" x 7" (10-Pack)

Packaging: 10 pcs in a pack
$31.68/pak $22.63/10 pcs in a pack only $22.63/pakSave 29%

In stock

OVERVIEW

The Safer, Longer-Lasting TIG Electrode

Stop worrying about radioactive dust and start welding smarter with E3 Purple Tungsten Electrodes. If you are looking for a single tungsten that can handle almost any job in your shop, this is it. The E3 Purple is the modern "universal" electrode, designed to perform flawlessly on everything from mild steel and stainless steel to aluminum. This 0.040-inch version is perfect for your most delicate projects—think jewelry repair, thin automotive sheet metal, or precision aerospace tubing where you need a focused, stable arc at very low amps.

One of the biggest frustrations with traditional red (thoriated) tungsten is how quickly the point degrades, forcing you to stop and regrind constantly. E3 tungsten is engineered to run cooler, meaning the tip stays sharp much longer. This allows you to spend more time under the hood laying beads and less time at the grinder. Furthermore, because it contains no thorium, you eliminate the health risks associated with grinding radioactive materials. It’s a safer choice for you and your shop environment without sacrificing any of the performance you expect.

Whether you are running an inverter or an older transformer machine, E3 Purple adapts to your power source. It provides crisp, reliable starts every time, reducing the chance of tungsten inclusions or sputtering at the start of a weld. For welders who switch between materials frequently, the ability to go from DC welding on a stainless exhaust to AC welding on an aluminum intake without changing your tungsten type is a massive time-saver. Upgrade to E3 and experience a stable, consistent arc that helps you produce your best work.

Additional Information
Diameter:0.040 in
Tungsten Type:E3
Used To Weld:Steel or Stainless or Aluminum
Packaging Description:10 pcs in a pack (10-pcs-in-a-pack)
Color Code:Purple
Length:7 in
Current Type:AC, DC
Material Composition:Rare Earth Oxides, 1.5% Lanthanum, 0.08% Zirconium, 0.08% Yttrium
Amperage Range (DC):10 - 80 A
Amperage Range (AC):10 - 50 A
Used To Weld?:Steel or Stainless or Aluminum

INCLUDED

  • 10 x E3 Purple Tungsten Electrodes (0.040" Diameter, 7" Length)
  • Protective Storage Case

APPLICATIONS

  • Precision TIG welding of thin-gauge mild and stainless steel
  • AC welding of aluminum and magnesium alloys
  • Micro-welding and jewelry repair
  • Automated orbital welding systems
  • Aerospace and medical component fabrication
  • Food and beverage industry piping (non-radioactive requirement)

FAQ

E3 Purple tungsten is extremely versatile and can be used to weld mild steel, stainless steel, aluminum, magnesium, titanium, and copper alloys. It works on both AC and DC settings.

No, E3 tungsten contains a mix of rare earth oxides (Lanthanum, Zirconium, and Yttrium) and is completely non-radioactive, making it a safer alternative to Thoriated (Red) tungsten.

For a 0.040" diameter electrode, the recommended range is approximately 10-80 Amps for DCEN (Direct Current Electrode Negative) and 10-50 Amps for AC, depending on the balance settings.

For DC welding (steel/stainless), grind the tip to a sharp point parallel to the length of the rod. For AC welding (aluminum), you can grind it to a truncated point or slightly rounded tip, though E3 holds a point well even on AC.

Yes, E3 tungsten is excellent for modern inverter technology but also performs reliably on older transformer-based power sources.

The purple color code is the international standard (ISO) indicating that the electrode contains a specific mixture of rare earth oxides (E3), distinguishing it from Red (Thoriated), Green (Pure), or Blue (Lanthanated).

Yes, E3 electrodes generally run cooler than Thoriated tungsten, which reduces tip erosion and allows the electrode to maintain its geometry for longer periods between regrinds.

No, 0.040" is a very small diameter intended for thin materials and low amperage. For heavy structural welding, you would typically use 3/32" (2.4mm) or 1/8" (3.2mm) diameters.