Tungsten burning away???

[Baz20574]

Hi guys new to the forum and I’m having a bit of bother with tungsten burning up
So I Recently sent my sip tig back for repair as it stopped working
But since it has come back the tungsten is burning up like this (see pics)no matter what setting I use or what I do it’s not taking any effect
Just wondering if anybody knew what might be wrong or what has happened
I’m welding alloy
Cheers guys for any advice help

 

[tommullin]

what gas (pure argon or some mix) are you using and what flow rate?

 

[tommullin]

also, what polarity do you have the torch / earth lead connect to the machine?

 

[Baz20574]

Pure argon and the earth in the +
Flow 6/8 lpm
Haven’t changed anything from my previous setup when I was having no probs??

 

[tommullin]

tungsten contamination? have you been sharpening them on a dirty wheel used for grinding other material?
gas contamination? any leaks on the gas system drawing air in?
have you tried a different tungsten?

 

[Ruffian]

Is the alloy anodized?
Had a similar problem caused by that,

Also what setting is your ac balance??

 

[Jim Davey]

You haven’t picked up a thoriated tungsten by mistake? Easy to do if both ends get ground as you loose the identifying paint mark.

 

[pedrobedro]

It looks more like a piece of stainless rod than a tungsten, is there only you there ?

 

[Baz20574]

tungsten contamination? have you been sharpening them on a dirty wheel used for grinding other material?
gas contamination? any leaks on the gas system drawing air in?
have you tried a different tungsten?

Yes iv tried a different tungsten

 

[Baz20574]

Is the alloy anodized?
Had a similar problem caused by that,

Also what setting is your ac balance??

No anodised alloy

 

[Baz20574]

It looks more like a piece of stainless rod than a tungsten, is there only you there ?

No defo tungstens tried a few different ones now and all doing the same thing!

 

[Liquid Metal]

If your welding alloy, i guess you mean aluminium alloy of some sort therefore you're running your machine on AC?
Whats the +/- balance setting on your machine, and what frequency do you have it set to?
Also, are you definitely sure the tungsten is not Thoriated Tungsten? That looks like the result of using thoriated on AC?

Sharpening on a "dirty" wheel wouldnt do that anyway, we sharpen tungstens on a worn flap disk on a 4 1/2" grinder thats been used on carbon steel pipe, or stainless (depending on the job) on site all the time if needs be, and doesnt cause much problems, other than every now and then the HF fluttering about a little bit at start up

 

[Baz20574]

If your welding alloy, i guess you mean aluminium alloy of some sort therefore you're running your machine on AC?
Whats the +/- balance setting on your machine, and what frequency do you have it set to?
Also, are you definitely sure the tungsten is not Thoriated Tungsten? That looks like the result of using thoriated on AC?

Sharpening on a "dirty" wheel wouldnt do that anyway, we sharpen tungstens on a worn flap disk on a 4 1/2" grinder thats been used on carbon steel pipe, or stainless (depending on the job) on site all the time if needs be, and doesnt cause much problems, other than every now and then the HF fluttering about a little bit at start up

Yes welding aluminium of all types and thickness
Yes AC
Re +/- balance don’t think I have that setting on my machine
But yes sharpening it on a flap wheel like I did before with no issues
Like I said it’s only started since I sent it away to sip for repair

 

[Richard.]

Re +/- balance don’t think I have that setting on my machine

You do and you have it maxed out by the look of it.
Stick it somewhere in the middle see if the problem goes away

 

[AndersK]

Looks like you are a bit over 100 amps using a 1,6 mm electrode, too much on AC

 

[anto44]

It looks more like a piece of stainless rod than a tungsten, is there only you there ?

Had that done to me a few times when I did my welding course

 

[Liquid Metal]

Wind the "clean area width" control to be favour the other end of the scale and have another bash with it.
Also,
Make sure its definitely Zirconiated tungsten (white) youre using too.
As said above, whats in the first couple of pics definitely looks like the result of trying to use thoriated (red) tungsten on AC.
If both ends of it have been used, then get a fresh one. At 100amps plus, you're probably better off with a 2.4mm tungsten if youve got one.

 

[chris pruteanu]

What others said, too much balance and too thin tungsten for welding at 100 Amps and over!