Cerium tungsten heavy metal electrodes (AWS classification EWCe-2) contain a minimum of 97.30 percent tungsten and 1.80 to 2.20 percent cerium and are referred to as 2 percent ceriated. These electrodes perform best in DC welding at low current settings but can be used proficiently in AC processes. With its excellent arc starts at low amperages, ceriated tungsten has become popular in such applications as orbital tube and pipe fabricating, thin sheet metal work, and jobs involving small and delicate parts. Like thorium, it is best used to weld carbon steel, stainless steel, nickel alloys, and titanium, and in some cases it can replace 2 percent thoriated electrodes. Cerium tungsten heavy metal has slightly different electrical characteristics than thorium, but most welders can't tell the difference.

Cerium-Tungsten is a non-radioactive material. It can not only replace the thorium-tungsten electrode in the case of low direct current and mini-scaled welding but also bears superior features over the latter. It is known to be especially good for DC welding with low amperage because it starts very easily at low amps and usually requires about 10% less amps to operate than thoriated material. It is very popular to be used for the welding of orbital tube, pipe, very small parts, short welding cycles and also where a specific number of welds are called and then the electrode is to be replaced.

Cerium tungsten heavy metal electrode are widely used in TIG welding, pladma welding, pladma cutting, pladma spay coating, pladma smelting and gas discharging light source.