Sold in 4-packs of three electrodes, 1/16" Blue Demon EWCe-2 electrodes are tungsten electrodes containing about 2% cerium oxide, referred to as ceria, and operate successfully with AC or DC - either polarity.
The advantages of tungsten electrodes containing ceria, compared to pure tungsten, include increased ease of starting, improved arc stability and reduced rate of vaporization or burn-off. Unlike thoria, ceria is not a radioactive material. These advantages increase with increased ceria content.
The EWCe-2 electrodes were first introduced into the US market in 1987. Several other grades of this type of electrode are commercially practical, including electrodes containing 1% ceria, but only one grade - EWCe-2 - has been incorporated in this specification as having commercial significance.