CEP932-105-12 - Shade 12 Glass Welding Lens 2x4 Heat Treated

Technical Overview of the Shade 12 Heat Treated Filter Plate

The Shade 12 Heat Treated Glass Filter Plate is a critical component for personal protective equipment in industrial welding environments. Designed to fit the industry-standard 2-inch by 4-1/4-inch retaining systems found in most passive welding helmets and "pancake" style hoods, this lens provides a fixed level of optical filtration. The designation "Shade 12" refers to the luminous transmittance of the lens, making it suitable for a wide range of arc welding processes, including Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW), Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW), and Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW) at medium to high amperage levels. The specific shade number indicates the lens's ability to attenuate visible light as well as harmful ultraviolet (UV) and infrared (IR) radiation generated by the welding arc.

Manufactured from high-quality glass, this filter plate undergoes a specific heat treatment process. This thermal tempering significantly increases the mechanical strength of the glass compared to annealed glass, providing enhanced resistance to thermal shock and impact. While not unbreakable, heat-treated glass meets specific safety standards for impact resistance when used in conjunction with appropriate cover lenses and safety glasses. The glass material itself offers inherent advantages in optical stability; unlike some organic plastic materials, glass does not degrade or warp as easily under high thermal loads, ensuring that the refractive properties remain consistent across the viewing area. This consistency is vital for precision work where visual distortion can lead to weld defects.

It is mandatory to install this filter plate behind a clear polycarbonate or glass cover lens to protect it from weld spatter, sparks, and direct mechanical impact. The filter plate acts solely as the radiation barrier and optical filter. Users must ensure that the lens is seated correctly within the helmet's gasket system to prevent light leakage. This product is an essential consumable for MRO inventories, supporting welding operations that prefer or require the optical characteristics of traditional glass filtration over auto-darkening technologies.