Tungsten Alloy EWZr-1
AISI/SAE AWS A5.12 EWZr-1 · GB GB/T 4189 WZ8 · ISO 6848 WZ8
EWZr-1 (WZ8) is a tungsten electrode doped with zirconium oxide, covered by AWS A5.12 and GB/T 4189, that keeps the arc stability of pure tungsten while adding resistance to weld-pool contamination.
Reference datasheet — EWZr-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.
What is EWZr-1?
EWZr-1 (WZ8) is a tungsten electrode doped with zirconium oxide, covered by AWS A5.12 and GB/T 4189, that keeps the arc stability of pure tungsten while adding resistance to weld-pool contamination. It is chosen for high-frequency AC GTAW of aluminium and magnesium, where the balled tip holds its shape and tungsten spitting is low; supply forms are ground or chemically cleaned rod, optionally pre-tipped. Tensile strength is about 1250 MPa with 2% elongation and service temperature reaches 2500 °C, but the rod is brittle at room temperature and cannot be bent. For DC work on steels, EWLa-1 or EWCe-2 start more easily. EWZr-1 has a density of 19.2 g/cm³ (0.694 lb/in³), heavier than 62% of tungsten alloy grades. It melts at 3,410°C (6,170 °F). EWZr-1 has a yield strength of 900 MPa (131 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,250 MPa (181 ksi) — stronger than 69% of tungsten alloy grades. Elongation at break is 2% and the elastic modulus is 400 GPa (58 Msi).
What is EWZr-1 used for?
- AC TIG welding of aluminum/magnesium
- Radiographic-quality welds
- Applications requiring contamination resistance
Advantages
- Good corrosion resistance — 82/100, better than 98% of tungsten alloy grades
- High service temperature — 2,500°C (4,532 °F), better than 95% of tungsten alloy grades
Limitations
- Hard to polish — 55/100, worse than 98% of tungsten alloy grades
- Low fracture toughness — 10 MPa·√m (9.1 ksi·√in), worse than 83% of tungsten alloy grades
EWZr-1 properties
Typical room-temperature values; bars are the position among tungsten alloy grades.
Physical3
EWZr-1 has a density of 19.2 g/cm³ (0.694 lb/in³), heavier than 62% of tungsten alloy grades. It melts at 3,410°C (6,170 °F).
Mechanical13
EWZr-1 has a yield strength of 900 MPa (131 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,250 MPa (181 ksi) — stronger than 69% of tungsten alloy grades. Elongation at break is 2% and the elastic modulus is 400 GPa (58 Msi).
Thermal5
EWZr-1 is rated for continuous service to 2,500°C (4,532 °F). It conducts heat at 165 W/m·K (95.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 69% of tungsten alloy grades. Thermal expansion is 4.5 µm/m·K (2.5 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
EWZr-1 conducts electricity at 29 % IACS, better than 50% of tungsten alloy grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (82/100), better than 98% of tungsten alloy grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of EWZr-1 takes about 400 MJ of energy and emits 28 kg of CO₂ — more than 74% of tungsten alloy grades. Typical recycled content is 15%.
Manufacturability7
EWZr-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. EWZr-1 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with EWZr-1
Is EWZr-1 easy to machine?
Brittle at room temperature: process only by grinding, EDM or laser cutting. Grind the tip along the rod axis, since transverse wheel marks cause arc wander.
Can EWZr-1 be welded?
The rod itself is not structurally welded; it works as a non-consumable electrode. For AC welding of aluminium, grind the end blunt or hemispherical and allow it to ball naturally in the arc.
Can EWZr-1 be formed, bent or molded?
Produced from APT via ZrO2-doped tungsten powder, isostatic pressing, hydrogen sintering and high-temperature swaging and drawing to rod. Any cold work must be carried out hot, above 400 °C.
EWZr-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 |
|---|---|---|
| ZrO2AWS EWZr-1 0.15–0.40 %; ISO/GB WZ8 0.70–0.90 % (white tip) | 0.15 – 0.9 | 0.8 |
| Other (total impurities)AWS A5.12 limit on total other elements | ≤ 0.5 | — |
| Wbalance, purity ≥99.1 % (≥99.5 % excluding ZrO₂) | balance | — |
What surface finishes work on EWZr-1?
Available centreless-ground bright or chemically etched; no plating or anodising is applied. Keep the surface clean and free of oil contamination before use.
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Tungsten Alloy EWZr-1 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- AISI / SAE
- AWS A5.12 EWZr-1
- ISO
- 6848 WZ8
- GB (China)
- GB/T 4189 WZ8
- Other
- WZ8
How much does EWZr-1 cost?
EWZr-1 is a high-cost tungsten alloy ($$$$), pricier than about 78% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
EWZr-1 — frequently asked
What is EWZr-1 used for?
EWZr-1 is typically used for AC TIG welding of aluminum/magnesium, radiographic-quality welds and applications requiring contamination resistance. In short: best AC aluminium electrode; high contamination resistance; non-radioactive alternative.
What is the yield strength of EWZr-1?
EWZr-1 has a typical yield strength of 900 MPa (131 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,250 MPa (181 ksi) — stronger than 69% of tungsten alloy grades.
Is EWZr-1 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated not recommended (8/100, worse than 71% of tungsten alloy grades). Brittle at room temperature: process only by grinding, EDM or laser cutting. Grind the tip along the rod axis, since transverse wheel marks cause arc wander.
Can EWZr-1 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated not recommended (10/100). The rod itself is not structurally welded; it works as a non-consumable electrode. For AC welding of aluminium, grind the end blunt or hemispherical and allow it to ball naturally in the arc.
What surface finishes work on EWZr-1?
Available centreless-ground bright or chemically etched; no plating or anodising is applied. Keep the surface clean and free of oil contamination before use.
Can EWZr-1 be formed, bent or molded?
Produced from APT via ZrO2-doped tungsten powder, isostatic pressing, hydrogen sintering and high-temperature swaging and drawing to rod. Any cold work must be carried out hot, above 400 °C.
What is the maximum service temperature of EWZr-1?
EWZr-1 is rated for continuous use to about 2,500°C (4,532 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does EWZr-1 cost?
EWZr-1 is a high-cost tungsten alloy ($$$$), 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)
- ASM Handbook Vol.2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys and Special-Purpose Materials (Refractory Metals) — ASM International (1990)
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.