ON THE DURABILITY OF THE TUNGSTEN ELECTRODE IN WELDING IN MIXTURES OF ARGON AND CARBON DIOXIDE.

The effect of the composition of the shielding gas mixture and the cathode on the wear of electrodes is studied. It is shown that the highest durability in welding in Ar plus CO//2 mixtures is exhibited by yttrium-alloyed tungsten electrodes. The durability of the electrode is expressed by the time to the formation of a ring-shaped 'tubercle', which impairs the stability of arcing; the durability depends on the composition of the mixture and on the welding conditions. It is shown that yttrium-alloyed tungsten electrodes can be used for welding in a mixture of argon with up to 5% CO//2.