The　electrode　is　widely　used　in　TIG　for　its　characteristics　of　high　melting　point　and　low　work　function.　This　paper　provides　a　general　classification　of　rare　earth　tungsten　electrode,　and　briefly　introduces　its　development　course.　At　the　same　time,　the　emission　properties,　processing　and　application　of　the　rare-earth　tungsten　electrode　are　reviewed　in　this　paper　which　briefly　overviews　the　status　quo　and　the　developments　in　research　on　the　Tungsten　electrodes.　This　paper　also　forecasts　the　development　tendency　and　application　prospect　of　the　electrodes,　aiming　at　providing　valuable　reference　for　the　research　and　promotion　on　rare-earth　tungsten　electrode　materials.　©　(2015)　Trans　Tech　Publications,　Switzerland.