Tungsten Alloy EWLa-1
AISI/SAE AWS A5.12 EWLa-1 · GB GB/T 4189 WL15 · ISO 6848 WL15
EWLa-1 (WL15) is a tungsten electrode doped with lanthanum oxide, listed as AWS A5.12 EWLa-1 and GB/T 4189 WL15, and is the general-purpose non-radioactive electrode grade.
Reference datasheet — EWLa-1 is not in the instant-quote catalog. Upload your part and an engineer will quote it in this grade or suggest the closest stocked equivalent.
Values for the GF condition
EWLa-1 tempers and conditions
EWLa-1 is supplied in 3 conditions, soft to hard. GF is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 3 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Stress relieved | Use the rod stress-relief annealed after swaging for long electrodes and automatic feed fixtures needing the best straightness and dimensional stability, accepting yield down to 550 MPa. | 550 | 750 | 4 | 40 HRC | 30 % IACS |
Chemically cleaned (as-swaged, black) finish rod | Choose the economical as-swaged rod that is only acid-pickled after swaging for cost-sensitive manual welding; the surface is rougher and diameter tolerance wider, at about 1000 MPa tensile. | 800 | 1,000 | 2 | 46 HRC | 29 % IACS |
GFDefault Centerless ground / polished finish rod | Pick the usual stocked condition — centerless ground bright rod with high diameter accuracy and concentric clamping — for automated welding and precision manual TIG at 1100 MPa tensile. | 850 | 1,100 | 2 | 47 HRC | 29 % IACS |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways EWLa-1 is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
WIRE | Fine drawn wire / micro electrode | Supply form |
What is EWLa-1?
EWLa-1 (WL15) is a tungsten electrode doped with lanthanum oxide, listed as AWS A5.12 EWLa-1 and GB/T 4189 WL15, and is the general-purpose non-radioactive electrode grade. It runs on both AC and DC with easy starting, low tip erosion and long service life, which suits it to manual and automated GTAW; supply forms are ground bright or chemically cleaned rod and drawn wire. Yield strength is about 850 MPa with 1100 MPa tensile and 2% elongation, so the rod is fully brittle at room temperature and cannot be bent or straightened. EWCe-2 is the nearest alternative for low-current DC work. EWLa-1 has a density of 19.1 g/cm³ (0.69 lb/in³), heavier than 52% of tungsten alloy grades. It melts at 3,410°C (6,170 °F). EWLa-1 has a yield strength of 850 MPa (123 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,100 MPa (160 ksi) — stronger than 61% of tungsten alloy grades. Elongation at break is 2% and the elastic modulus is 400 GPa (58 Msi).
What is EWLa-1 used for?
- AC/DC TIG welding
- Aluminum and stainless welding
- Automated GTAW
Advantages
- Good corrosion resistance — 70/100, better than 88% of tungsten alloy grades
Limitations
- Limited service temperature — 400°C (752 °F), worse than 98% of tungsten alloy grades
- Low fracture toughness — 10 MPa·√m (9.1 ksi·√in), worse than 83% of tungsten alloy grades
- Hard to polish — 60/100, worse than 83% of tungsten alloy grades
EWLa-1 properties
Typical room-temperature values for EWLa-1-GF; bars are the position among tungsten alloy grades.
Physical3
EWLa-1 has a density of 19.1 g/cm³ (0.69 lb/in³), heavier than 52% of tungsten alloy grades. It melts at 3,410°C (6,170 °F).
Mechanical16
EWLa-1 has a yield strength of 850 MPa (123 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,100 MPa (160 ksi) — stronger than 61% of tungsten alloy grades. Elongation at break is 2% and the elastic modulus is 400 GPa (58 Msi).
Thermal5
EWLa-1 is rated for continuous service to 400°C (752 °F). It conducts heat at 160 W/m·K (92.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 55% of tungsten alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 4.5 µm/m·K (2.5 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
EWLa-1 conducts electricity at 29 % IACS, better than 50% of tungsten alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental2
Corrosion resistance is very good (70/100), better than 88% of tungsten alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of EWLa-1 takes about 380 MJ of energy and emits 24 kg of CO₂ — less than 62% of tungsten alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 20%.
Manufacturability7
EWLa-1's machinability is not recommended (8/100, worse than 71% of tungsten alloy grades); weldability not recommended (10/100); formability not recommended (5/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Strength versus weight in the tungsten alloy family
Yield strength against density for every tungsten alloy grade FabDigit runs. EWLa-1 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with EWLa-1
Is EWLa-1 easy to machine?
Grind with diamond or SiC wheels only, taking the tip longitudinally along the axis to stabilise the arc; EDM is also possible. Conventional turning, milling and drilling are not feasible.
Can EWLa-1 be welded?
Not used as a structural weld material; in service it is the non-consumable AC/DC GTAW electrode. Where a joint is needed, use vacuum electron-beam welding or Ni/Cu-base vacuum brazing, and expect a markedly brittle joint.
Can EWLa-1 be formed, bent or molded?
Fully brittle at room temperature — no cold bending or straightening. Shaping is done at the mill by powder pressing and sintering followed by rotary swaging or drawing at 1200–1600 °C; no forming at the user end.
EWLa-1 chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| La2O3ISO 6848/GB/T 4187 WL15, gold tip; AWS EWLa-1 0.80–1.20 % (WL10) | 1.3 – 1.7 | 1.5 |
| Other impurities (total)total impurities: Fe, Mo, Si, Ca, Al, Ni, etc. | ≤ 0.2 | — |
| W≥ 98.30 % | balance | — |
What surface finishes work on EWLa-1?
Standard supply is chemically cleaned black surface or centreless-ground bright finish. Grind the cone angle to suit the current type — a 20–30° sharp point for DC, a small flat or blunted/balled end for AC — and avoid transverse grinding marks.
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Tungsten Alloy EWLa-1 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- AISI / SAE
- AWS A5.12 EWLa-1
- ISO
- 6848 WL15
- GB (China)
- GB/T 4189 WL15
- Other
- WL15
How much does EWLa-1 cost?
EWLa-1 is a high-cost tungsten alloy ($$$$), pricier than about 78% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
EWLa-1 — frequently asked
What is EWLa-1 used for?
EWLa-1 is typically used for AC/DC TIG welding, aluminum and stainless welding and automated GTAW. In short: most versatile AC/DC electrode; non-radioactive general purpose; long tip life.
What is the yield strength of EWLa-1?
EWLa-1 has a typical yield strength of 850 MPa (123 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,100 MPa (160 ksi) — stronger than 61% of tungsten alloy grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 3 listed tempers.
Is EWLa-1 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated not recommended (8/100, worse than 71% of tungsten alloy grades). Grind with diamond or SiC wheels only, taking the tip longitudinally along the axis to stabilise the arc; EDM is also possible. Conventional turning, milling and drilling are not feasible.
Can EWLa-1 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated not recommended (10/100). Not used as a structural weld material; in service it is the non-consumable AC/DC GTAW electrode. Where a joint is needed, use vacuum electron-beam welding or Ni/Cu-base vacuum brazing, and expect a markedly brittle joint.
What surface finishes work on EWLa-1?
Standard supply is chemically cleaned black surface or centreless-ground bright finish. Grind the cone angle to suit the current type — a 20–30° sharp point for DC, a small flat or blunted/balled end for AC — and avoid transverse grinding marks.
Can EWLa-1 be formed, bent or molded?
Fully brittle at room temperature — no cold bending or straightening. Shaping is done at the mill by powder pressing and sintering followed by rotary swaging or drawing at 1200–1600 °C; no forming at the user end.
What is the maximum service temperature of EWLa-1?
EWLa-1 is rated for continuous use to about 400°C (752 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between EWLa-1-GF and EWLa-1-SR?
GF is the default condition — pick the usual stocked condition — centerless ground bright rod with high diameter accuracy and concentric clamping — for automated welding and precision manual TIG at 1100 MPa tensile. SR: use the rod stress-relief annealed after swaging for long electrodes and automatic feed fixtures needing the best straightness and dimensional stability, accepting yield down to 550 MPa. Yield strength is 850 MPa in GF versus 550 MPa in SR.
How much does EWLa-1 cost?
EWLa-1 is a high-cost tungsten alloy ($$$$), pricier than about 78% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Sources
- AWS A5.12/A5.12M — Specification for Tungsten and Oxide Dispersed Tungsten Electrodes for Arc Welding and Cutting — AWS (2009)
- ISO 6848 — Arc welding and cutting — Nonconsumable tungsten electrodes — Classification — ISO (2015)
- GB/T 4187 / GB/T 4189 — SAC (2017)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys and Special-Purpose Materials (Refractory Metals) — ASM International (1990)
- Tungsten electrode (WL15 lanthanated) product data — Plansee / (2023)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.