What is ISO 15614-1:2017

ISO 15614-1:2017 is the most widely used part of the ISO 15614 series. It sets the rules for welding procedure qualification through testing for:

• Arc and gas welding of steels

• Arc welding of nickel and nickel alloys

It ensures that any welding procedure used in production is tested, qualified, and repeatable for safe and strong welds.

What Materials and Processes Does It Cover?

Materials:

• Unalloyed and low-alloy steels

• High-alloy (stainless) steels

• Nickel and nickel-based alloys

Welding Processes:

• Arc welding (MMA, MIG/MAG, TIG)

• Gas welding (mainly for thin steels or simple work)

What Does the Standard Require?

To qualify a welding procedure, a company must:

1. Prepare a test weld using the chosen process and parameters

2. Inspect the weld using:

   • Visual inspection

   • Non-destructive testing (NDT) (e.g., radiographic or ultrasonic testing)

   • Mechanical tests (tensile, bend, impact if needed)

   • Macroscopic or microscopic exams to check internal weld quality

3. Record everything in a Welding Procedure Qualification Record (WPQR)

If the weld passes, that procedure can be used for production.

Why Is ISO 15614-1:2017 Important?

It ensures:

• Safety – welded components won't fail unexpectedly

• Quality – welds are defect-free and strong

• Consistency – procedures can be repeated reliably in production

• Compliance – products meet international codes (like ASME, EN, PED, etc.)

It’s essential in fields such as:

• Pressure vessels and pipelines

• Construction and structural steel

• Shipbuilding, power plants, and transportation

• Chemical and petrochemical industries

What is Arc Welding of Aluminium?

Arc welding uses an electric arc to fuse metal parts together. Aluminium, however, is more difficult to weld than steel because:

• It forms a tough oxide layer that must be removed

• It conducts heat very well, making it hard to control

• It is more prone to distortion and porosity

Common welding processes used for aluminium include:

• TIG (GTAW) – precise, clean, and commonly used for thinner materials

• MIG (GMAW) – faster and often used for thicker parts or production welding

Purpose of ISO 15614-2:2005

This standard ensures that:

Welding procedures for aluminium are properly tested and qualified

1. Each qualified procedure is recorded in a Welding Procedure Qualification Record (WPQR)

2. Welds pass specific tests, such as:

   • Visual and non-destructive testing (NDT) for defects

   • Tensile, bend, and possibly impact tests

   • Macroscopic examination of the weld cross-section

It applies to both manual and automatic arc welding processes.

Why Is It Important?

Aluminium is widely used in:

• Aerospace

• Automotive

• Marine vessels

• Construction and architecture

These applications require strong and defect-free welds, especially where safety and durability are critical.

ISO 15614-2:2005 ensures that:

• Welds are consistent and reliable

• Welders and engineers follow tested procedures

• Products meet international quality standards

What is Fusion Welding of Cast Iron?

Fusion welding involves melting the base metal to create a weld joint.
Cast iron, while strong and widely used, is brittle and has a high carbon content, making it challenging to weld.

There are several types of cast iron, but this standard covers:

• Gray cast iron

• Malleable cast iron

• Ductile (nodular) cast iron

• Low-alloyed cast irons

Because of their nature, cast irons:

• Are prone to cracking during or after welding

• Require special filler materials

• Need preheating and controlled cooling to avoid thermal stress

Purpose of ISO 15614-3:2008

This standard aims to ensure that the welding procedure for cast iron is:

1. Proven through testing

2. Documented in a Welding Procedure Qualification Record (WPQR)

3. Tested for:

   • Visual and non-destructive examination (e.g., dye penetrant or X-ray)

   • Mechanical testing (e.g., bend, tensile)

   • Metallurgical inspection (e.g., microstructure analysis)

It covers manual, semi-automatic, and automatic welding processes like:

• MMA (stick welding)

• TIG (GTAW)

• MIG (GMAW)

Why Is It Important?

Welding cast iron is common in the repair or modification of:

• Engines and housings

• Pumps and valves

• Heavy machinery

• Industrial equipment

Welds on cast iron must be:

• Crack-free

• Well bonded

• Stable under pressure and temperature changes

ISO 15614-3:2008 ensures that:

• Welded joints in cast iron are qualified and reliable

• The welding process is safe and repeatable

• Products can withstand their working environment

What is Finishing Welding of Aluminium Castings?

Finishing welding is the process of repairing defects or adding final adjustments to a casting by welding.

In aluminium castings, this can include:

• Repairing cracks, porosity, or surface flaws

• Rebuilding worn or missing areas

• Adding final dimensional adjustments

Because aluminium is a reactive metal, it requires:

• Careful control of cleanliness

• Proper shielding gas (like argon)

• Well-defined heat input and welding parameters

Purpose of ISO 15614-4:2005

This standard ensures that welding procedures used for finishing aluminium castings:

1. Are qualified through proper testing

2. Result in a Welding Procedure Qualification Record (WPQR)

3. Are verified through testing such as:

   • Visual inspection

   • Radiographic or dye penetrant testing

   • Hardness or tensile testing

   • Macroscopic examination

It applies to both manual and automated welding processes like TIG (GTAW) and MIG (GMAW).

Why Is It Important?

Finishing welding is critical in:

• Automotive and aerospace components

• Industrial machinery

• Structural castings

• High-performance equipment

Welds on aluminium castings must:

• Maintain mechanical strength

• Be free of defects

• Match the base material properties

ISO 15614-4:2005 ensures that these welds:

• Are reliable and durable

• Restore full functionality to the part

• Prevent failure during service

What is Arc Welding of Titanium and Zirconium?

Arc welding uses an electric arc to melt and fuse metals.
Titanium and zirconium are reactive metals that:

• Easily absorb oxygen, nitrogen, and hydrogen when heated

• Must be welded in very clean and controlled environments (usually with inert gas shielding like argon)

Because of this, welding these materials requires:

• High purity shielding gas

• Clean equipment and surfaces

• Special techniques to prevent contamination

Purpose of ISO 15614-5:2004

The standard ensures that welding procedures:

1. Are tested properly and produce sound welds in titanium and zirconium

2. Result in a Welding Procedure Qualification Record (WPQR)

3. Include tests like:

   • Visual and non-destructive testing

   • Tensile, bend, or impact testing

   • Macro/microstructure examination

   • Checks for porosity, cracks, and contamination

Why Is It Important?

Titanium and zirconium are used in critical sectors like:

• Aerospace

• Chemical processing

• Medical implants

• Nuclear industry

Improper welding of these materials can cause:

• Brittleness

• Loss of corrosion resistance

• Weld failure under stress

ISO 15614-5:2004 ensures that:

• Welds are mechanically strong and chemically stable

• Procedures are repeatable and safe

• Products can perform reliably in demanding conditions

What is Arc Welding of Copper?

Arc welding uses an electric arc to melt and join metals.
Copper and its alloys (like bronze and brass) are widely used in industries due to their:

• Excellent electrical conductivity

• Good corrosion resistance

• Thermal properties

However, copper’s high thermal conductivity and oxidation tendencies make it challenging to weld — requiring special procedures and skill.

Purpose of ISO 15614-6:2006

The purpose of this standard is to:

1. Ensure that arc welding procedures for copper and its alloys are tested and qualified.

2. Provide a Welding Procedure Qualification Record (WPQR) based on successful tests.

3. Require specific tests, such as:

   • Visual inspection

   • Radiographic or ultrasonic testing

   • Bend, tensile, or hardness tests

   • Macro/micro examination

It covers manual, mechanized, and automatic welding processes like:

• GTAW (TIG)

• GMAW (MIG/MAG)

• SMAW (stick welding)

Why Is It Important?

Copper welding is used in:

• Electrical and power generation equipment

• Shipbuilding and marine applications

• Heat exchangers and piping

• Art and architectural work

Welds must be leak-proof, conductive, and mechanically sound.
This standard ensures that:

• Welders use proven procedures

• Welded parts will perform safely

• Consistent quality is maintained across jobs

What is Overlay Welding?

Overlay welding is a process where a layer of material is welded onto the surface of a base metal to:

• Improve wear resistance

• Add corrosion protection

• Enhance surface properties

Common applications:

• Applying stainless steel or nickel alloy layers over carbon steel to prevent corrosion

• Hardfacing equipment parts to resist abrasion or impact

• Rebuilding worn surfaces of valves, pumps, or pressure vessels

Purpose of ISO 15614-7:2007

The standard ensures that overlay welding procedures are:

1. Properly qualified before use

2. Supported by a Welding Procedure Qualification Record (WPQR)

3. Verified through tests like:

   • Visual inspection

   • Chemical analysis of the overlay

   • Bend and hardness testing

   • Sometimes corrosion or wear testing (depending on use)

It focuses on the quality and integrity of the overlay layer, including thickness, bonding, and composition.

Why Is It Important?

Overlay welding is often used in critical industries such as:

• Oil and gas

• Chemical processing

• Power generation

• Mining and heavy equipment

These overlays must perform reliably under harsh conditions, such as:

• High temperatures

• Corrosive chemicals

• Heavy wear

ISO 15614-7:2007 ensures the overlay is durable, well-bonded, and performs as intended.

What are Tube-to-Tube-Plate Joints?

Tube-to-tube-plate joints involve welding the end of a tube (pipe) into a flat plate (called a tube sheet or tube plate). These joints are essential in systems where fluids or gases pass through tubes and must be sealed tightly at the connection.

These joints are found in:

• Heat exchangers

• Boilers

• Condensers

• Radiators

• Air conditioning units

• Nuclear and chemical reactors

Welding Processes Covered

This standard applies to:

• Fusion welding processes such as TIG (GTAW), MIG/MAG (GMAW), and laser welding.

• Both manual and automatic welding methods.

It applies to:

• Tubes inserted with or without clearance

• Welds performed from one or both sides

• Full penetration or partial penetration welds

Why Is ISO 15614-8:2016 Important?

Tube-to-plate welds are critical in industries where fluid leakage or structural failure can lead to safety risks, environmental hazards, or expensive shutdowns.

This standard helps ensure:

• Welds are strong, durable, and leak-proof

• Procedures are qualified before production begins

• Welding is done correctly and consistently, regardless of the welder or equipment

What is Hyperbaric Wet Welding?

Hyperbaric wet welding is a specialized form of underwater welding where:

• The welding is done directly in the water.

• The welding area is exposed to increased pressure (hyperbaric conditions), which is typical when working at great depths underwater.

• Special wet welding electrodes and equipment are used, and the welder often works from a saturation diving system or a remotely operated vehicle (ROV).

Hyperbaric refers to the high-pressure environment that divers experience when working deep underwater, such as at depths of 100 meters or more.

What Is the Purpose of ISO 15614-9:2024?

The purpose of ISO 15614-9:2024 is to:

1. Qualify welding procedures specifically for hyperbaric wet welding in underwater environments.

2. Ensure the welding process is safe and results in strong, reliable welds even under high-pressure conditions.

3. Create a Welding Procedure Qualification Record (WPQR) to prove that the method is effective, safe, and ready for use in real-world underwater construction or repair projects.

Why Is ISO 15614-9:2024 Important?

Hyperbaric wet welding is a challenging and risky process because:

• Water, pressure, and temperature can all affect the weld quality.

• Electrical currents in wet conditions need to be handled carefully to avoid accidents.

• Cracking or weak welds can cause failure in critical underwater infrastructure, like oil pipelines, ships, or offshore oil rigs.

The ISO 15614-9:2024 standard is important because it:

• Ensures the welding procedures are safe, consistent, and durable.

• Guarantees welds can withstand harsh underwater conditions like pressure, cold, and potential corrosion.

• Helps prevent weld failures in high-risk areas such as offshore oil rigs, subsea pipelines, and ship hull repairs.

What is Hyperbaric Dry Welding? 

• Hyperbaric dry welding is a specialized form of underwater welding where:

• The welding area is completely sealed off from water, creating a dry environment. This is done by using a dry welding habitat, which is a chamber or enclosure that allows the welder to work underwater but in a controlled dry space.

• The welding is performed under high-pressure conditions, typically at great depths, such as on subsea oil platforms or underwater pipelines.

In contrast to wet welding (where the welding is done directly in water), dry welding provides a more stable environment for the welding process and can result in higher-quality welds.

Why Is ISO 15614-10:2005 Important?

Hyperbaric dry welding is critical for the repair and maintenance of underwater structures like:

• Oil rigs or offshore platforms

• Subsea pipelines

• Ships and marine vessels

This process is used in deep-sea environments, where:

• The welding process needs to be protected from water, which can affect the quality of the weld.

• The welder must work under high pressure—often hundreds of meters underwater.

ISO 15614-10:2005 is important because it ensures:

• The welding procedures used in dry environments meet safety standards and produce reliable welds that will not fail under pressure.

• The process is efficient and repeatable, even in extreme underwater conditions.

• It helps ensure the integrity of subsea infrastructure, avoiding failures that could lead to costly repairs or environmental hazards.

What is Electron and Laser Beam Welding?

Electron Beam Welding (EBW):

• Uses a focused beam of high-energy electrons that are accelerated and directed toward the workpiece in a vacuum chamber.

• The electrons impact the metal, generating heat that melts and joins the materials.

• Ideal for high-precision, deep welds in materials such as titanium, aluminum, and steel.

Laser Beam Welding (LBW):

• Uses a concentrated beam of light (laser) to melt and fuse the metal.

• The laser beam creates a narrow, deep weld with minimal heat-affected zone (HAZ), making it ideal for thin materials.

• Commonly used in the automotive, aerospace, and electronics industries for high-precision welding.

Why Is ISO 15614-11:2005 Important?

Electron and laser beam welding are high-precision processes used in industries that require extreme accuracy and strength, such as aerospace, automotive, and electronics manufacturing. They provide clean, deep welds with minimal distortion.

However, these methods also come with unique challenges:

• High precision is required, as any mistakes can result in weak welds or part failure.

• These techniques require specific conditions such as vacuum chambers (for EBW) or focused lasers (for LBW), making proper procedure qualification crucial.

ISO 15614-11:2005 ensures:

• The welding procedures are reliable and safe.

• The method results in strong, consistent welds.

• The welding procedure is repeatable and optimized for precision.

• The process is safe, adhering to the required quality and performance standards.

What is Spot, Seam, and Projection Welding?

Spot Welding:

• Spot welding involves applying pressure and passing electric current through the metal at a specific point to create a localized weld.

• The process is commonly used to join thin sheets of metal together, especially in the automotive industry (for car body assembly).

Seam Welding:

• Seam welding is similar to spot welding, but instead of creating individual spots, it creates a continuous weld. This is done by passing the welding electrodes over the workpiece while maintaining pressure and electrical current.

• Often used for making airtight or watertight seams in metal containers (like tanks or pipes) and is widely used in the automotive and appliance manufacturing industries.

Projection Welding:

• Projection welding involves creating small projections on the metal surfaces to be welded, which focus the electrical current to specific areas. This creates a strong weld.

• Used for joining parts like nuts to sheets of metal or small components to larger surfaces, typically in mass production environments.

Why Is ISO 15614-12:2021 Important?

These welding techniques (spot, seam, and projection) are commonly used in mass production and industries where high volume and consistency are key, such as automotive manufacturing, appliance production, and electronics.

However, resistance welding can be tricky and may lead to defective welds if not done properly. Inadequate pressure, current, or time settings can result in weak joints or damaged components.

ISO 15614-12:2021 ensures:

• The welding procedure is consistent, producing strong, durable welds that meet the required quality standards.

• The welding parameters are correctly optimized for each specific process (spot, seam, or projection welding).

• The process is safe for use in industrial applications, ensuring that high-volume manufacturing can proceed without interruptions due to poor welding quality.

What is Upset (Resistance Butt) Welding and Flash Welding?

Upset (Resistance Butt) Welding:

• Upset welding is a type of resistance butt welding, where two metal pieces are joined by applying pressure and electric current.

• The ends of the workpieces are heated by the electrical current until they become molten, and then they are forced together (upset) to form a joint.

• It’s often used for joining pipes, rods, and bars, particularly in the steel and automotive industries.

Flash Welding:

• Flash welding is a variation of resistance welding where the pieces to be welded are initially brought together lightly under pressure. An electric current is then passed through, causing localized flash heating at the contact point.

• The flash helps remove oxides or contaminants from the metal surface, creating a clean bond. After the flash, the pieces are pressed together to form the weld.

• Flash welding is typically used for joining large sections of metal, such as steel plates, heavy rods, or rails.

Why Is ISO 15614-13:2023 Important?

Upset welding and flash welding are crucial for heavy-duty welding applications in industries such as automotive, railways, and construction, where strong, durable joints are needed. However, these processes can be challenging due to the heat and pressure involved.

ISO 15614-13:2023 ensures:

• The welding procedure is optimized for the materials and conditions, producing high-quality welds.

• The correct pressure, current, and time settings are used to create strong, defect-free joints.

• The process is safe for use in industrial applications, minimizing the risk of weak or failed welds.

What is Laser-Arc Hybrid Welding?

Laser-arc hybrid welding is a technique that simultaneously uses a laser beam and an electric arc to weld materials.
This method combines the deep penetration and precision of laser welding with the stability and filler capability of arc welding.

Benefits:

• Deeper, stronger welds than using laser or arc alone

• Faster welding speeds

• Better gap-bridging ability than laser alone

• Lower heat distortion than arc welding alone

What Is the Purpose of ISO 15614-14:2013?

This standard ensures that laser-arc hybrid welding procedures are:

• Properly tested and qualified before being used in production

• Capable of producing high-quality, strong, and defect-free welds

• Suitable for the specific materials (steels and nickel-based alloys) and welding positions required

It defines:

• The required tests, such as mechanical and visual inspections

• What parameters must be recorded (like heat input, laser power, arc current, etc.)

• How to create a Welding Procedure Qualification Record (WPQR)

Why Is It Important?

Laser-arc hybrid welding is used in critical applications such as:

• Shipbuilding

• Automotive manufacturing

• Aerospace

• Power generation

Because this method combines two complex welding techniques, it’s essential to:

• Prove that the procedure is safe and effective

• Ensure the equipment and settings are optimized

• Produce repeatable results in real-world manufacturing