Tungsten splitting?

[barry w]

Hi,
I have noticed problems with the arc on my tig. When I take a close look at the tungsten it has a fine split. What causes this please?
many thanks barry

 

[Paul.]

It happens occasionally, seems to be a manufacturing fault, sometimes you can break the end off and get rid of the split, if not dump it or give it back to the supplier and tell him you want some decent ones next time.

 

[Shox Dr]

I think it can also be a machine problem. We have a crappy AC/DC set at work, that only gets used once in a blue moon, and on AC it will split Tungsten's, yet I put the very same re-sharpened Tungsten in my my AC setup at home and no splitting.

 

[gaz_moose]

cheap supply of tungsten's for you then

 

[rodofgod]

I too have noticed this! Especially on the Lantherated tungsterns! Put it down to their brittleness!

Regards