Welding+Shade+Numbers


 * Guide to Welding Shades Numbers **


 * ** Filter Shade Selection for Type of Welding ** ||
 * ** Operation ** ||  ** Electrode **

** Size (mm) ** ||  ** Arc **

** Current (A) ** ||  ** Min **

** Shade ** ||  ** Suggested **

** Shade ** ||
 * Shielded Metal || < 2.5 mm || < 60 ||  7   ||   *   ||
 * Arc Welding || 2.5 – 4mm

4 – 6.4mm

> 6.4mm || 60 – 160

160 – 250

250 – 550 ||  8

10

11  ||   10

12

14  ||
 * Gas Metal Welding and Flux Cored Arc Welding || < 60

60 – 160

160 – 250

250 – 500 ||  7

10

10

10  ||   *

11

12

14  ||
 * Gas Tungsten Arc Welding || < 50

50 – 150 ||  8

8  ||   10

12  ||
 * Air Carbon Arc Cutting || 150 – 500

< 500

500 – 1000 ||  10

10

11  ||   14

12

14  ||
 * Torch Brazing ||  3 or 4   ||
 * Torch Soldering ||  2   ||
 * Carbon Arc Welding ||  14   ||
 * Gas Welding

(plate under 1/8" thick, light) ||  4 or 5   ||
 * Gas Welding

(plate 1/8" to 1/2" thick, medium) ||  5 or 6   ||
 * Gas Welding

(plate over 1/2" thick, heavy) ||  6 or 8   ||
 * Oxygen Cutting

(plate under 1" thick, light) ||  3 or 4   ||
 * Oxygen Cutting

(plate 1" to 6" thick, medium) ||  4 or 5   ||
 * Oxygen Cutting

(plate over 6" thick, heavy) ||  5 or 6   ||
 * *As a rule of thumb, start with a shade that is too dark to see the weld zone. Then go to a lighter shade, which gives sufficient view of the weld zone without going below the minimum. In oxyfuel gas welding or cutting where the torch produces a high yellow light, it is desirable to use a filter lens that absorbs the yellow or sodium line in the visible light of the operation. ||
 * ** Note: ** Workers with prescription lenses are not exempt from wearing proper eye protection. ||

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