What is Arc Weld Deposition Efficiency in Welding?

The arc welding deposition efficiency is the ratio of the weight of filler metal deposited in the weld to the weight of filler metal melted, expressed in percent. This value is important because it reflects how much of the consumable material is actually being used in the welding process.

A low deposition efficiency indicates that a large amount of filler metal is being wasted, while a high deposition efficiency indicates that most of the filler metal is being used effectively.

There are several factors that can affect arc welding deposition efficiency, including:

electrode type and size,
welding current and voltage,
gas type and flow rate,
and torch angle.

While higher deposition efficiencies are generally desirable, it is important to note that they can also lead to problems such as increased spatter and weld pool instability. As such, it is important to find the optimal balance for each welding application.

Which arc welding has the highest deposition efficiency? What is the efficiency of a SMAW electrode?

There is no definitive answer to this question as it depends on a number of factors, including those mentioned above. In general, however, increasing the electrode diameter or using a more powerful welding current will tend to increase deposition efficiency. Some specific arc welding processes that are known for their high deposition efficiencies include metal inert gas (MIG) welding and flux-cored arc welding (FCAW).

How is welding deposition efficiency calculated?

The arc welding deposition efficiency is calculated by dividing the weight of filler metal deposited in the weld by the weight of filler metal melted, and then multiplying by 100 to express the result as a percentage.

The deposition efficiency formula

Deposition Efficiency (%) = (Weight of filler metal deposited in the weld / Weight of filler metal melted) x 100.

For example, if a welder is using an electrode with a diameter of 3/32” (0.094”) and a current of 175 amps, the theoretical maximum deposition rate would be approximately 0.24 lbs per minute. If that same welder is actually able to deposit 0.21 lbs of wire per minute, their deposition efficiency would be 87.5% (0.21 ÷ 0.24 x 100).