Consumables
Which tungsten for TIG welding?
Quick answer
Use 2% lanthanated (blue) tungsten for almost everything in a modern inverter: DC steel/stainless and AC aluminium. Size to amps: 1.6 mm to ~150 A, 2.4 mm to ~250 A DC. Grind radially (lines running lengthwise), never on a wheel used for steel.
Tungsten at a glance
| Colour | Type | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Blue | 2% lanthanated | the modern default, AC + DC |
| Red | 2% thoriated | great DC arcs, slightly radioactive — wash hands |
| Green | pure | old-school AC aluminium on transformer machines |
| Grey | rare-earth blends | premium, follow maker charts |