Google
 
PDA

View Full Interactive Version Of This Page : What TYPE of Tungsten are in our tools?!?!

Julabula
2006-01-10, 7:31am
Does anyone know what TYPE of tungsten are in the general lampwork tools, like pokers, rakes, etc.? I am not sure the TYPE of tungsten. I need to buy some replacement rods for mine. Thanks!
Mr. Smiley
2006-01-10, 8:21am
It's pure tungsten. Some is 2% thoriated... you don't want that. :D
Julabula
2006-01-10, 8:51am
Thank you Brent!! That totally answers my question....I was at my welder's yesterday looking at Tungsten rods, and was wondering what the heck 2% thoriated meant. (I still don't know what that means, but as long as I know to get pure tungsten, I'll be OK!). THANKS!
Dale M.
2006-01-10, 9:29am
Thank you Brent!! That totally answers my question....I was at my welder's yesterday looking at Tungsten rods, and was wondering what the heck 2% thoriated meant. (I still don't know what that means, but as long as I know to get pure tungsten, I'll be OK!). THANKS!


2% Thoriated rods are slightly radio active. I believe that they have a bit of thorium on its chemical make up. Thoriated rods are known to give off small amounts of radiation when heated.

http://www.webelements.com/webelements/elements/text/Th/key.html

Dale
Julabula
2006-01-10, 10:16am
Yikes, thanks Dale. Yeesh, with all the other safety issues, don't want to introduce radiation from tungsten as well! Will make sure I get pure rods. Thanks so much for the info, guys!
RSimmons
2006-01-10, 11:04am
The thorium in added as an 'arc starter' for electric welding tips. It's an alpha emitter and not much of a problem when left bound in the alloy. The biggest hazzard is from the grinding process when shaping and sharpening the tips and fine dust/smoke is released. You don't want to breathe it, for sure. Best to stick with the pure stuff.

Robert S