Due to the characteristics of the tungsten electrode, it is very suitable for using in TIG welding and other electrode materials. Adding rare earth oxide to the metal tungsten to stimulate its electronic work, so that the welding performance of tungsten electrode can be improved.

The tungsten electrode has high melting point (3683℃±20℃), high electron emission capability, high elastic modulus and low vapor pressure, so it is used as a hot electron emission material. The emission efficiency of pure metal tungsten electrode is very low, and at high temperature, the recrystallization equiaxed grains will make the tungsten wire sag and fracture.

The tungsten electrode plays an important role in the arc starting arc, arc stability and welding quality. The loss of the quality of tungsten electrode under the action of the high temperature arc is referred to as the ablation of the tungsten electrode. In order to facilitate the discussion of the ablation mechanism of tungsten electrode, the ablation can be divided into the ablation of the oxide and the ablation of tungsten.