Thoriated
Thoriated refers to materials containing thorium, most commonly thoriated tungsten electrodes used in tungsten inert gas welding. Thoriated tungsten is tungsten doped with thorium oxide (ThO2), typically around 2% by weight. The thorium oxide improves electron emission from the electrode, lowers work function, reduces the tendency to arc-strike, and allows stable arc initiation at higher current levels. This makes thoriated tungsten favorable for direct current (DC) welding, particularly DCEN, and for welding thicker sections where high current is used.
However thorium is radioactive, presenting health and safety considerations. When heated in welding, thorium-containing compounds may
Thoriated tungstens remain in use in certain DC welding applications, particularly where a stable arc at high