The following
tables will help you estimate electrode quantity and cost
for a variety of joints. The bases for the tabulations
are explained below. Should you encounter a variation in
conditions or joint preparation that is not shown in the
tables, substitute appropriate figures in the W=D/(1-L)
formula and calculate it.
Electrode requirements have been calculated as follows:
W= D / 1-L
W = Weight of electrodes required
D = Weight of steel deposited
L = Total electrode losses
To arrive at the weight of steel deposited, it is
necessary to calculate first the volume of deposited
metal (area of the groove multiplied by the length). Then
this volumetric value is converted to weight by the
factor 0.283 pounds per cubic inch for steel. Where weld
reinforcement is involved, it is added to the
requirements for net, unreinforced welds.
These figures are based on the efficiency of the process
used. On square and groove joints, the figures are based
on stick electrode efficiency. For tubular wire results,
divide steel deposit weight by .80, and for solid wire,
divide by .90.
Size of
fillet L
Steel
deposited per linear
Pounds of
electrodes required
(in inches)
foot of
weld (lbs.)
per linear
foot of weld (approx.)
Stick*
(SMAW)
Tubular
(FCAW)
Solid
(GMAW)
1/8
0.027
.049
.034
.03
3/16
0.063
.114
.079
.07
1/4
0.106
.193
.133
.118
5/16
0.166
.302
.208
.184
3/8
0.239
.434
.298
.265
1/2
0.425
.773
.531
.472
5/8
0.663
1.205
.829
.737
3/4
0.955
1.736
1.194
1.061
1
1.698
3.087
2.123
1.890
*Includes
scrap end and spatter loss.
Joint
dimensions
Steel
deposited per linear
Pounds of
electrodes required per
(in inches)
foot of
weld (lbs.)
linear foot
of weld* (approx.)
METAL
BEAD
ROOT
With
With
THICK
WIDTH
OPEN
Without
reinforcement
Without
reinforcement
T
B
G
reinforcement
(R**=0.07")
reinforcement
(R**=0.07")
3/16
3/8
0
-
0.088
-
0.16
1/16
0.020
0.109
0.04
0.20
1/4
7/16
1/16
0.027
0.129
0.05
0.23
3/32
0.039
0.143
0.07
0.26
5/16
1/2
1/16
0.033
0.153
0.06
0.27
3/32
0.050
0.170
0.09
0.30
1/8
1/4
0
-
0.119
-
0.21
1/32
0.013
0.132
0.03
0.24
3/16
3/8
1/32
0.020
0.199
0.04
0.36
1/16
0.040
0.218
0.07
0.39
1 /4
7/16
1 /16
0.053
0.261
0.10
0.47
3/32
0.080
0.288
0.14
0.53
*Includes
scrap end and spatter loss. **R=Height of
reinforcement.
Joint
dimensions
Steel
deposited per linear
Pounds of
electrodes required per
(in inches)
foot of
weld (lbs.)
linear foot
of weld* (approx.)
METAL
BEAD
ROOT
With
With
THICK
WIDTH
OPEN
Without
reinforcement
Without
reinforcement
T
B
G
reinforcement
(R**=0.08")
reinforcement
(R**=0.08")
1/4
0.207
1/16
0.085
0.143
0.15
0.25
5/16
0.311
3/32
0.173
0.258
0.31
0.46
3/8
0.414
1/8
0.282
0.394
0.50
0.70
1/2
0.558
1/8
0.489
0.641
0.87
1.15
5/8
0.702
1/8
0.753
0.942
1.35
1.68
3/4
0.847
1/8
1.088
1.320
1.94
2.35
1
1.138
1/8
1.930
2.240
3.45
4.00
*Includes
scrap end and spatter loss. **R=Height of
reinforcement.