Re: tungsten anyone? (Thoriated vs straight tungsten)

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Original poster: Mike <megavolts61@xxxxxxxxx>

Tony -

Exactly what "increased electrical properties" does thoriated
tungsten offer, relative to "straight" tungsten?
Well, for welding, the helium ions emitted(or alpha particles, if you 
prefer) help the spark initiate.   As for Tesla coils,  I honestly 
don't think they would help.  I would seem to me that they could 
possibly hinder quenching unless used in a rotary gap, in which case 
they might be good.  If you are hoping to be able to machine them for 
any reason,  The thoriated rods are more easily machined.  I asked 
the rep that question thinking having them threaded might be useful 
for rotor gaps or for instertion into a heat sink/primary circuit 
connector.  The rods they have containing lanthanide elements are 
also more easily machined than pure tungsten as well, and in my book 
would be a better choice, depending on the price, of course.
Mike



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