I read recently that grey electrodes indicate a torch cooling problem, but I couldn't find anything about what that information actually means to me. My manual says the torch is cooled by ambient air and doesn't require special cooling procedures.
The shiny one on the left is a new copper plus electrode that has only been used for about 20 minutes to cut 14 gauge steel with a fine cut tip. The grey one on the left is a regular electrode that has probably been used to cut a handful of parts, mostly at 45A but possibly (not likely) up to 85A. I'm not the only one who uses the torch, but I know we very rarely use it above 65A. The table gets used maybe.. three or four times a week, for one or two parts, almost never thicker than 1/4" and then occasionally I use it most of day to cut 14 gauge. I can't imagine how we would ever exceed the duty cycle specifications listed in the book. All our used electrodes turn grey fairly quickly, and I always thought it was normal until now. Should I worry about it?