What colour is a WC20 tungsten electrode?

Grey, per ISO 6848, with 1.80-2.20% cerium oxide. Its AWS A5.12 class is EWCe-2.

Why do two charts show different colours for lanthanated electrodes?

Manufacturer colour schemes predate the common ISO 6848 reference. ISO 6848 assigns gold to WL15 and dark blue to WL20; black belongs to WL10. Text designations on labels settle any dispute.

Is the red tip always 2% thorium?

Red means WT20, 1.70-2.20% ThO2, under ISO 6848 - whoever made the rod. Unpainted or repainted rods break this guarantee, which is why labelled, documented stock matters.

Reference · free to use and share

The tungsten electrode colour code chart, done properly

One band of colour tells a welder what is inside the rod. This chart lists every ISO 6848 designation you will meet in a European or international workshop, with oxide ranges and the matching AWS A5.12 classes — plus the three confusions that cause real ordering mistakes.

ISO 6848 identification codes: band colour, oxide range, current type and AWS class
ISO 6848 code	Band colour	Oxide addition (ISO range)	Family	Current	AWS A5.12 class
WP	Green	—	Pure W ≥ 99.50%	AC	EWP
WT4	Light blue	0.35–0.55% ThO₂	Thoriated (low)	DC	EWTh family
WT10	Yellow	0.80–1.20% ThO₂	Thoriated (1%)	DC	EWTh family
WT20	Red	1.70–2.20% ThO₂	Thoriated (2%)	DC	EWTh-2
WT30	Purple	2.80–3.20% ThO₂	Thoriated (3%)	DC	EWTh family
WT40	Orange	3.80–4.20% ThO₂	Thoriated (4%)	DC	EWTh family
WC20	Grey	1.80–2.20% CeO₂	Ceriated	DC / AC low-mid	EWCe-2
WL10	Black	0.90–1.20% La₂O₃	Lanthanated (1%)	DC / AC	EWLa-1
WL15	Gold	1.40–1.60% La₂O₃	Lanthanated (1.5%)	DC / AC	EWLa-1.5
WL20	Dark blue	1.80–2.20% La₂O₃	Lanthanated (2%)	DC / AC	EWLa-2
WZ3	Brown	0.15–0.50% ZrO₂	Zirconiated (low)	AC	EWZr family
WZ8	White	0.70–0.90% ZrO₂	Zirconiated	AC	EWZr-1 family

Stock note: TONGKE regularly stocks WP, WT20, WC20, WL15, WL20 and WZ8. Other designations (WT10, WT30, WT40, WL10, WZ3) are quoted on request. See the range overview.

The three mistakes this chart prevents

Box colour ≠ tip colour

Retail boxes come in every print scheme. The identification band on the electrode is the code — and on our boxes the designation is also printed in text, so colour is a cross-check, never the only check.

WZ8 is white, WZ3 is brown

Older charts and some regional habits reverse the zirconiated colours. ISO 6848 assigns white to WZ8 (0.70–0.90% ZrO₂) and brown to WZ3. If a supplier’s chart disagrees with the label, trust the label and ask why.

Tungsten ≠ tungsten copper

EDM electrodes of tungsten-copper are a different product family entirely. Searching “tungsten electrode” can land you there; the colour codes on this page apply to TIG/GTAW non-consumable electrodes only.

Read the spectrum at a glance

Ten tungsten electrode tips in a row showing ISO 6848 colour codes green red grey gold blue white brown yellow — Ten colour bands side by side — a colour-code reference photograph for bench training, not a stock list.

Print this page for the welding bay, or bookmark it. When you are ready to order by colour, the quotation form takes type, size and quantity in one go.

Download the full tungsten electrode catalogue (PDF)

All six families, size matrix, colour codes, packing options and export documents — one PDF you can circulate in your purchasing team.

Download catalogue (PDF)

Send your electrode list today

Type, diameter × length, quantity and packing — mixed sizes welcome. You get a specification-confirmed quotation with lead time, normally within 24 hours.

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