What is Arc Welding Deposition Efficiency (%) in Welding?

The ratio of the weight of filler metal deposited to the weight of filler metal melted. Deposition efficiency is a number that tells you how well your welding machine is performing. A higher number means less wasted filler metal and less heat input into the weld. This can be important when welding thin materials or working in tight spaces.

There are a few things that can affect your deposition efficiency:

  1. Amperage – The higher the amperage, the more heat is generated and the more filler metal is melted. This can lead to less efficient welds with more wasted filler metal.
  2. Electrode size – A larger electrode will deposit more filler metal per pass than a smaller electrode. This can lead to higher deposition efficiencies.
  3. Travel speed – The faster you travel, the less time the arc has to heat up the base metal and melt the filler metal. This can lead to higher deposition efficiencies.
  4. Weld bead width – A wider weld bead will have more filler metal than a narrower weld bead. This can lead to higher deposition efficiencies.
  5. Arc length – The shorter the arc, the less heat is lost to the air and the more focused the heat is on the workpiece. This can lead to higher deposition efficiencies.
  6. Shielding gas – An inert gas like argon will protect the molten weld pool from contamination better than air. This can lead to higher deposition efficiencies.
  7. Power source – Some power sources are more efficient than others at converting electrical energy into heat. This can lead to higher deposition efficiencies.
  8. Operator technique – An experienced welder will be able to control the welding variables better than a novice welder, leading to higher deposition efficiencies.

What is the welding deposition rate?

The deposition rate is the measure of how much filler metal is deposited per unit of time. It is usually expressed in pounds per hour (lb/h) or kilograms per hour (kg/h). The deposition rate can be affected by many of the same factors that affect deposition efficiency.

How is welding deposition efficiency calculated? Deposition efficiency formula

The deposition efficiency is calculated by dividing the weight of filler metal deposited by the weight of filler metal melted.

What is the percentage of deposition efficiency in the FCW process?

The deposition efficiency in a flux-cored welding (FCW) process is the ratio of the weight of filler metal deposited to the weight of filler metal melted. The deposition efficiency can be affected by many of the same factors that affect the deposition rate.

The deposition efficiency of smaw

The deposition efficiency of a shielded metal arc welding (SMAW) process is the ratio of the weight of filler metal deposited to the weight of filler metal melted.

Conclusion

The deposition efficiency is an important number to know when welding because it can affect the quality and cost of your welds.

Related Links

Lesson 9 – Estimating & Comparing Weld Metal Costs
Lesson 9 – Estimating & Comparing Weld Metal Costs
Deposition Rates for Stick Electrodes | WELDING ANSWERS
Welding Term Definitions and Glossary from PraxairDirect.com

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