What weld characteristic is primarily determined by wire feed speed?

• A. Penetration depth
• B. Arc length
• C. Weld bead contour
• D. Shielding gas flow

Answer: (C)

Wire feed speed controls how much filler metal is added per unit time, which directly shapes the weld bead. When voltage and travel speed are kept constant, increasing wire feed speed raises the heat input and deposits more metal, so the bead becomes wider and fuller with a smoother contour. Penetration depth relies more on heat input (current), arc length is set by voltage and tip-to-work distance, and shielding gas flow affects shielding quality rather than the bead’s geometry. So the bead contour is the weld characteristic most influenced by wire feed speed.