Which type of polarity concentrates most of the heat on the tungsten electrode rather than the workpiece?

Direct Current Reverse Polarity (DCRP) is the type of polarity that concentrates most of the heat on the tungsten electrode rather than the workpiece. In DCRP, the positive terminal is connected to the workpiece, while the negative terminal is connected to the tungsten electrode. This configuration allows approximately 70% of the heat to develop at the electrode rather than on the workpiece itself.

The high heat concentration at the tungsten electrode is beneficial during the welding process, particularly when working with materials that require precise arc control and minimal heat input to the base material. This is especially relevant in applications like thin materials or in TIG welding, where the cooling effect on the workpiece is essential to prevent warping or distortion.

In contrast, other options such as Direct Current Straight Polarity (DCSP) apply more heat to the workpiece and are often used for penetrating welds in thicker materials. Alternating Current (AC) switches polarity continually, distributing heat more evenly between the electrode and workpiece, which is advantageous for certain materials, particularly aluminum. Pulsed Current uses a variation of current levels and can also benefit heat distribution but does not concentrate heat like DCRP does.

Therefore, DCRP is clearly the correct choice as it effectively