Ceriated vs Lanthanated Tungsten: Which One Should You Buy?
Ceriated electrodes in grey, 2% cerium, for AC and DC welding, compared by size, standard and packing, with four listed 10-packs ranked.
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Ceriated vs lanthanated tungsten: for low-current DC work, the listings in this guide point to ceriated, the grey 2% ceriated electrode, where ARCCAPTAIN and YESWELDER state it performs best. Every electrode listed in this guide is ceriated, so this guide compares those ceriated options size by size and explains where the choice matters.
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Below: what ceriated means, how the four listed electrodes compare, and how to pick a size.
Ceriated vs lanthanated tungsten: the short answer
Ceriated tungsten is tungsten with cerium added: all four listings name the electrodes 2% ceriated, grey, under the code WC20 or EWCe-2, and YESWELDER states a minimum of 97.30% tungsten and 1.80 to 2.20% cerium. ARCCAPTAIN and YESWELDER state ceriated electrodes work in AC and DC processes and perform best in DC welding at low current settings. That is the short answer: for low-current DC work, ceriated is the electrode those two listings point to.
Lanthanated tungsten is the other electrode in the comparison, but no lanthanated electrode is listed in this guide’s data, so this guide states nothing about its composition or ratings. What follows compares the four ceriated electrodes the listings do cover, so you can pick among them by size and standard.
| Detail | What the listings state |
|---|---|
| Composition | 2% cerium; 1.80 to 2.20% per YESWELDER |
| Tungsten content | Minimum 97.30% per YESWELDER |
| Color | Grey |
| Code | WC20, EWCe-2 |
| Sizes listed | 3/32 in and 1/16 in; 7 in long on three listings |
| Pack | 10 electrodes |
| Standard | AWS A5.12M/A5.12:2009; Midwest cites :2036 |
What the listings state about ceriated
One listing states the composition outright: YESWELDER lists a minimum of 97.30% tungsten and 1.80 to 2.20% cerium. All four listings name the electrodes 2% ceriated, grey, WC20 or EWCe-2. Three listings state conformance to AWS A5.12M/A5.12:2009, and ARCCAPTAIN also lists DIN EN 26848 and GB/T 31908-201, with 100% traceability stated.
On performance, two listings make the same claims: ARCCAPTAIN and WelderElite state fast arc striking, a low burn-off rate, and no splitting under heavy amps or high amperage. ARCCAPTAIN adds resistance to thermal shock and states no splitting even on thick aluminum plate. ARCCAPTAIN and Midwest list titanium alloys, copper alloys, magnesium alloys, aluminum alloys, nickel alloys, non-corrosive steels and low-alloyed steels. WelderElite lists the same alloys except non-corrosive steels, and adds stainless steels. YESWELDER lists no materials.
Packing is vacuum packing on two listings, stated to prevent oxidation and allow long-time preservation. YESWELDER notes the outer packaging color lets you tell the color and model apart quickly, and WelderElite notes distinct colors to identify different models and sizes.
The electrodes in this guide
Four ceriated electrodes are listed, ranked here from the most complete listing to the least. All four are 2% ceriated, grey, in 10-packs.
| Electrode | Size | Standard stated | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| ARCCAPTAIN 2% Ceriated | 3/32 in x 7 in | AWS A5.12M/A5.12:2009, DIN EN 26848, GB/T 31908-201 | 100% traceability; vacuum packed |
| YESWELDER 2% Ceriated | 3/32 in x 7 in | AWS A5.12M/A5.12:2009 | Composition stated: 97.30% tungsten minimum |
| WelderElite 2% Ceriated | 1/16 in x 7 in | AWS A5.12M/A5.12:2009 | Stainless steels listed among uses |
| Midwest Tungsten Service 2% Ceriated | 1/16 in | AWS A5.12M/A5.12:2036 as stated | US manufacturing; MSDS and certificate stated |
Two listings contradict themselves, and the title and bullets win over the rest. ARCCAPTAIN calls the electrodes grey, then adds a parenthetical reading Green, WP, EWP; take them as grey, as the title and the color field state. Midwest Tungsten Service titles its electrodes 1/16 in, but one bullet calls them 0.040 in electrodes; take the size as 1/16 in, as the title and spec table state. Midwest also cites the standard as A5.12M/A5.12:2036, where the other listings cite A5.12M/A5.12:2009; the figure is quoted as stated.
How to pick a size
The choice in this guide is between 3/32 in and 1/16 in, all in 10-packs. ARCCAPTAIN and YESWELDER list the 3/32 in size, at 2.4 mm by 175 mm; Midwest Tungsten Service and WelderElite list the 1/16 in size, with WelderElite stating 1.6 mm by 175 mm. Midwest states no length. Match the size to the job and the welder’s manual, and check the manual for the size it calls for.
On the working notes, ARCCAPTAIN and YESWELDER state ceriated performs best in DC at low current settings and works in AC as well, and those two listings state vacuum packing against oxidation. WelderElite states its electrodes are securely packaged for long-term storage, and Midwest states no packing. A TIG welding power cable completes the torch side of the setup.
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FAQ: garage tools
What does 2% ceriated mean?
It means the electrode contains 2% cerium: YESWELDER states a minimum of 97.30% tungsten and 1.80 to 2.20% cerium, in grey, under the code WC20 or EWCe-2.
Can ceriated electrodes weld aluminum?
Yes, according to the listings: aluminum alloys are listed among the uses on ARCCAPTAIN, Midwest Tungsten Service and WelderElite, for both AC and DC applications.
What sizes do these electrodes come in?
The listings here give 3/32 in by 7 in, at 2.4 mm by 175 mm, and 1/16 in, with WelderElite stating 1.6 mm by 175 mm; Midwest states no length. All are in 10-packs.
Do ceriated electrodes work on AC and DC?
Yes. All four listings state AC and DC use, and ARCCAPTAIN and YESWELDER state ceriated performs best in DC welding at low current settings.
How are these electrodes packed?
Two listings state vacuum packing, with no oxidation and long-time preservation. Midwest Tungsten Service also states a free materials safety data sheet and certificate of conformance.
What standard do these electrodes meet?
Three listings state AWS A5.12M/A5.12:2009. ARCCAPTAIN also lists DIN EN 26848 and GB/T 31908-201, and Midwest Tungsten Service cites A5.12M/A5.12:2036 as stated.
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