Pyrex or ceramic: which TIG cup should you choose?
The difference between a Pyrex cup and a ceramic cup is not a detail. It decides what you see while welding and how much heat and rough handling your part can take. Yet many welders simply pick what they have always used. This is how we see it, after months of testing on stainless steel, titanium and aluminium.
Pyrex: you see what you are doing
Pyrex cups are transparent. You see the arc while you weld, and that makes a real difference on precision work. You see straight away whether the weld pool stays well protected, how the gas behaves and whether your electrode is still set correctly.
For titanium and stainless steel we recommend Pyrex, precisely because of that view. With these materials gas coverage is critical. A tiny gap in the shielding is enough for discolouration or oxidation, and you want to see that immediately instead of afterwards while cleaning up.
Pyrex is borosilicate glass and handles heat and temperature changes well. But it is still glass. Tighten the cup only hand tight, because tightening too hard puts stress on the glass, and let it cool down calmly after welding.
Ceramic: tougher and more heat resistant
Ceramic cups are sturdier and can take more heat. They are less sensitive to knocks in the workshop and keep up well during long welding jobs. For longer welds or heavier work, ceramic is the sensible choice.
The downside is that you cannot see through the cup. You only see the arc along the edge of the cup. For a lot of work that is fine, but on precision work you miss something.
Will it fit my torch?
Our cups fit standard WP9, WP17, WP18 and WP26 TIG torches. Check the exact size and torch type of the option you choose on the product page. If you have a WP17, WP18 or WP26, some cups need a gas lens adapter. If in doubt, contact us and we will work out together which cup fits your torch.
In short
- Titanium or stainless steel, precision work: choose Pyrex, for the view of the arc.
- Long welds, heavy work: choose ceramic, for heat resistance and sturdiness.
- Do not want to think about it and just want a cup that does not break? Look at the TIGWARE Teflon cups.