ISO Standards for Welding Procedure Qualification

Welding Procedure Specification and Welding Procedure Qualification documentation are governed by a structured framework of ISO standards. These standards define how welding procedures are written, qualified, tested, and validated across materials and welding processes.

This guide presents the core ISO standards used for Welding Procedure Qualification Records (WPQR) and Welding Procedure Specifications (WPS), including welder qualification, consumables classification, testing standards, and supporting references used in industrial fabrication and pressure equipment projects.

Core ISO Standards for WPQ and WPS Creation

These standards form the foundation of ISO based welding procedure control systems and are the primary references used when preparing Welding Procedure Specifications and Procedure Qualification Records.

ISO 15607 Series – General Rules for Welding Procedure Qualification

ISO 15607 – Specification and qualification of welding procedures for metallic materials — General rules

This standard defines the overall framework and qualification routes permitted under ISO methodology. It establishes how a welding procedure can be qualified and what supporting evidence is required.

ISO 15609 Series – Welding Procedure Specification Requirements

ISO 15609 – Specification and qualification of welding procedures for metallic materials – Welding Procedure Specification

This series defines the required content and format of a WPS for different welding processes.

Process specific parts include:

ISO 15609 – 1 Arc welding
ISO 15609 – 2 Gas welding
ISO 15609 – 3 Electron beam welding
ISO 15609 – 4 Laser beam welding
ISO 15609 – 5 Resistance welding
ISO 15609 – 6 Laser arc hybrid welding

These documents specify essential variables, ranges, and mandatory reporting fields required for WPS approval.

ISO 15610 to ISO 15614 – Welding Procedure Qualification Routes

ISO provides several qualification pathways depending on project requirements and available test evidence.

Recognized qualification routes:

ISO 15610 Qualification based on tested consumables
ISO 15611 Qualification based on previous welding experience
ISO 15612 Qualification based on standard welding procedure
ISO 15613 Pre production welding test
ISO 15614 Welding procedure test series

ISO 15614 Series – Welding Procedure Test Standards by Material and Process

ISO 15614 is the most widely used procedure qualification test framework. It contains multiple parts based on base material and welding method.

Commonly used parts include:

ISO 15614 -1 Steel and nickel
ISO 15614 – 2 Aluminium and aluminium alloys
ISO 15614 – 3 Copper and copper alloys
ISO 15614 – 4 Cast iron
ISO 15614 – 5 Titanium and zirconium
ISO 15614 – 6 Arc and gas welding of steels and nickel alloys using tube or pipe
ISO 15614 – 7 Overlay welding
ISO 15614 – 8 Welding of dissimilar metals
ISO 15614 – 11 Electron beam welding
ISO 15614 – 12 Laser beam welding
ISO 15614 – 13 Resistance spot welding
ISO 15614 – 14 Resistance seam welding

Note that exact part coverage may expand with newer editions, but these represent the primary scope used in fabrication and construction sectors.

ISO Standards for Welder and Welding Operator Qualification

Welder and operator qualifications are normally required alongside WPS and PQR approval. These standards verify personnel competence for specific welding processes and material groups.

ISO 9606 Series – Qualification Testing of Welders

ISO 9606 – Qualification testing of welders – Fusion welding

Key parts include:

ISO 9606 – 1 Steels
ISO 9606 – 2 Aluminium and aluminium alloys
ISO 9606 – 3 Copper and copper alloys
ISO 9606 – 4 Nickel and nickel alloys
ISO 9606 – 5 Titanium and zirconium

These standards define test assemblies, acceptance criteria, and qualification ranges.

ISO 9606 - Qualification testing of welders - Fusion welding

ISO 14732 – Qualification of Welding Operators and Weld Setters

ISO 14732 – Qualification testing of welding operators and weld setters

Used for mechanized and automatic welding systems where the operator controls parameters rather than manual torch manipulation.

ISO Standards Supporting WPS Variables and Essential Parameters

These standards are frequently referenced inside a WPS to define process terminology, parameter classification, and measurement methods.

ISO 4063 Welding and allied processes numbering system and classification
ISO 857 Welding and allied processes vocabulary
ISO 13916 Measurement of preheat temperature and interpass temperature
ISO 9956 series historical predecessor to ISO 15614, referenced in legacy documentation

These references improve clarity and consistency in WPS documentation and audits.

ISO Consumable and Shielding Gas Classification Standards

WPS documents must define filler materials and shielding gases using recognized classification standards.

Common references include:

ISO 14171 Submerged arc welding wires and fluxes
ISO 14341 Wire electrodes for gas shielded arc welding
ISO 2560 Covered electrodes for manual arc welding
ISO 14175 Shielding gases for arc welding and cutting
ISO 14171 to ISO 14174 Filler and flux classification series

Using correct classification codes ensures traceability and compliance.

Wire electrode for gas shielded arc welding

ISO Testing Standards Referenced in Welding Procedure Qualification Records (WPQR)

Procedure qualification testing requires destructive and non destructive examinations. These ISO standards define test methods and acceptance frameworks.

Mechanical and destructive testing:

ISO 5173 Bend testing of welds
ISO 9015 Hardness testing of welds
ISO 6507 Vickers hardness tests
ISO 9016 Impact testing
ISO 4136 Tensile testing of welds

Non destructive testing standards:

ISO 17635 General rules for non destructive testing of welds
ISO 17637 Visual examination
ISO 17638 Magnetic particle testing
ISO 17640 Ultrasonic testing
ISO 17636 Radiographic testing

Including these references in a WPS or PQR article strengthens technical credibility and audit readiness.

Additional ISO Standards that Strengthen WPS Documentation Systems

These standards support quality management, terminology control, and equipment validation within welding quality systems.

ISO 3834 Quality requirements for fusion welding of metallic materials
ISO 17662 Calibration and validation of testing and measuring equipment for welding
ISO TR 25901 Welding terminology

They are frequently required in certified fabrication environments and third party inspection projects.

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Frequently Asked Questions on ISO Welding Procedure Qualification and WPS Creation

What is a Welding Procedure Specification or WPS

A Welding Procedure Specification is a controlled technical document that defines how a weld must be made. It lists essential variables such as welding process, base material group, filler metal classification, joint design, preheat temperature, welding parameters, and acceptance criteria. It ensures repeatability and quality in production welding.

What is a Procedure Qualification Record or PQR

A Procedure Qualification Record is the documented evidence that a welding procedure has been tested and validated. It contains actual test results from a qualification weld, including mechanical tests and non destructive examination results. The PQR supports and validates the WPS ranges.

Which ISO standard is the main reference for welding procedure qualification

The primary reference framework is the ISO 15607 series. It defines the general rules and permitted routes for welding procedure qualification, including testing, previous experience, and standard welding procedures.

Which ISO standard defines how to write a WPS

The ISO 15609 series defines the required content and structure of a Welding Procedure Specification. Different parts apply to different welding processes such as arc welding, gas welding, laser beam welding, and resistance welding.

What is the most commonly used ISO standard for procedure qualification testing

ISO 15614 is the most widely used standard for welding procedure test qualification. It contains multiple parts covering steels, aluminium alloys, copper alloys, nickel alloys, titanium, overlay welding, pipe welding, and other specific applications.

Are welder qualifications covered by the same standards as WPS

No. Welder qualification is covered by a separate set of standards. The ISO 9606 series covers qualification testing of welders for fusion welding across different material groups. Welding operators and weld setters are qualified under ISO 14732.

Can a welding procedure be qualified without performing a new test weld

Yes. ISO allows alternative qualification routes in certain cases. These include qualification based on tested consumables, previous welding experience, or approved standard welding procedures under ISO 15610, ISO 15611, and ISO 15612. Project specifications and regulatory codes decide whether these routes are acceptable.

What tests are normally required for a welding procedure qualification test

Typical tests include tensile testing, bend testing, impact testing when required, and hardness testing. Non destructive examinations such as visual testing, ultrasonic testing, radiographic testing, and magnetic particle testing are also commonly required. Test selection depends on the applicable part of ISO 15614 and project requirements.

Which ISO standards define non destructive testing methods for welds

Non destructive testing methods are defined in several standards, including ISO 17637 for visual examination, ISO 17640 for ultrasonic testing, ISO 17636 for radiographic testing, and ISO 17638 for magnetic particle testing. ISO 17635 provides general rules for weld examination.

How are welding processes identified in ISO WPS documents

Welding processes are identified using the numbering system defined in ISO 4063. Each welding and allied process has a numeric code that is used in WPS and PQR documentation for clarity and consistency.

Why are consumable classification standards important in a WPS

Consumable classification standards ensure that filler metals and fluxes are properly specified and traceable. Standards such as ISO 14341, ISO 2560, ISO 14171, and ISO 14175 define chemical composition, mechanical properties, and shielding gas designations used in WPS documents.

Is ISO 3834 required for WPS approval

ISO 3834 is not a WPS writing standard, but it defines quality requirements for fusion welding operations. Many certified manufacturers adopt ISO 3834, and it often requires controlled WPS and PQR documentation as part of the welding quality system.

How often must a WPS be requalified

Requalification is required when essential variables defined in the applicable ISO standard are exceeded. Examples include changes in base material group, welding process, filler classification, heat input range, or joint type beyond qualified limits. The exact triggers are defined in the relevant ISO 15614 part.

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