ESAB Tungsten WL15 Lanthanated electrodes (AWS classification EWLa-1.5 or WL15) contain between 1.30 percent to 1.70 percent lanthanum, or lanthana. Tungsten electrodes of this type are known as 1.5 percent lanthanated, its color code is GOLD. These electrodes have excellent arc starting, a low burnoff rate, good arc stability, and excellent reignition characteristics. Gold tungsten also share the conductivity characteristics of 2 percent thoriated (red) tungsten. In some cases, 1.5 percent lanthanated can replace 2 percent thoriated without having to make significant changes in welding configurations.
Gold tungsten electrodes are ideal if you want to optimize your welding capabilities. They work well on AC or DC electrode negative (DCEN) with a pointed end. In addition, they can also be balled when performing AC welding. The tungsten electrode maintains a sharpened point well, which is an advantage for welding steel and stainless steel on DC or AC from square wave power sources.
These electrodes are suitable for AC welding, in addition to having the ability to start and maintain arcs at lower voltages. Compared with pure tungsten, the addition of 1.5 percent lanthana increases the maximum current-carrying capacity by approximately 50 percent for a given electrode diameter.
The ESAB Tungsten WL15 – Gold has the product code 0151574053, and is 3.2mm in diameter, and 175mm in length.
