Tungsten WLa20 - 2% Lanthanum Oxide

Lanthanated Tungsten | Premium Grade for Intensive 24/7 Production

Reference Standard: ISO 6848:2015 - Arc welding and cutting - Nonconsumable tungsten electrodes - Classification
AWS Equivalent: AWS A5.12/A5.12M - Specification for Tungsten and Oxide Dispersed Tungsten Electrodes for Arc Welding and Cutting

MAXIMUM ELECTRODE LIFE: WLa20 contains the highest lanthanum oxide content available, providing maximum electrode life for the most demanding 24/7 production environments. Ideal for OEMs running continuous shifts where downtime for electrode changes must be minimized.

CHEMICAL COMPOSITION

Tungsten (W)	Balance (≈97.9%)
Lanthanum Oxide (La₂O₃)	1.80 - 2.20%
Other Oxides	≤0.10%
Impurities	≤0.10%

IDENTIFICATION

AWS Designation	EWLa-2
ISO Designation	WLa20
Color Code (ISO 6848)	Blue
RWMA Classification	Class 13 (Group B)

Property	Value	Unit
Density	18.9	g/cm³
Melting Point	3,360	°C
Electrical Conductivity	≥30	% IACS
Thermal Conductivity	140	W/m·K
Work Function	2.5	eV

RECOMMENDED APPLICATIONS

Intensive 24/7 production - Continuous shift operations requiring maximum uptime
High-cycle contactor welding - >50,000 welds/shift
Automotive Tier 1 suppliers - Where electrode change intervals are critical
Battery tab welding - EV battery module assembly at high volumes
Premium contact welding - Where weld quality consistency is paramount

LANTHANATED TUNGSTEN SERIES - LIFE COMPARISON:

Grade	La₂O₃ %	Color	Relative Life	Cost
WLa10	1.0%	Black	100% (baseline)	$
WLa15	1.5%	Gold	115-120%	$$
WLa20	2.0%	Blue	130-140%	$$$

ADVANTAGES OF WLa20:

Maximum electrode life - 30-40% longer than WLa10 in high-cycle applications
Lowest work function (2.5 eV) - easiest electron emission, best arc starting
Superior arc stability - most consistent weld quality in extended runs
Non-radioactive - Safe for all environments, no special handling
Reduced downtime - Fewer electrode changes = higher productivity
Best total cost of ownership for 24/7 operations

COST-BENEFIT ANALYSIS: While WLa20 has a higher unit cost than WLa10 or WLa15, the extended electrode life often results in lower total cost per weld in high-volume applications. Calculate your cost-per-weld based on:

Electrode cost / expected welds per electrode
Downtime cost for electrode changes
Labor cost for maintenance

For operations with >20,000 welds/day, WLa20 typically provides the best ROI.

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