ISO 15614-11:2002

Overview

ISO 15614-11:2002, "Specification and qualification of welding procedures for metallic materials - Welding procedure test - Part 11: Electron and laser beam welding," defines how welding procedures for electron beam and laser beam welding are qualified. It is part of the ISO 15614 series and sets out the requirements for preparing, testing and documenting Welding Procedure Specifications (WPS) and Welding Procedure Qualification Records (WPQR) for metallic materials used in production and repair.

Key topics and requirements

• Welding procedure qualification: Establishes the method to qualify a preliminary WPS (pWPS) for electron and laser beam welding until it becomes a qualified WPS.
• Test piece design: Specifies representative test-piece shapes and minimum dimensions (linear and circular butt welds are addressed) so heat distribution and testing needs are met.
• Examination and testing: Requires a mix of non‑destructive testing (NDT) and destructive tests (visual, radiographic, ultrasonic, penetrant, magnetic particle, macroscopic/microscopic, hardness, tensile and bend tests) in accordance with referenced EN/ISO standards.
• Acceptance levels: Qualification may use acceptance levels B, C or D from EN ISO 13919-1 (steel) or prEN ISO 13919-2 (aluminium) depending on application requirements.
• Range of qualification: Clause-based rules define limits of validity related to manufacturer, equipment, parent material, filler material, joint geometry, welding position, parameters, preheat/post-weld heat treatment, number of passes and duration of validity.
• Documentation: WPQR and WPS documentation requirements are defined; Annex A includes a WPQR form (informative).
• Normative references: Cross-references prEN ISO 15609-3 and prEN ISO 15609-4 (WPS for electron and laser beam welding), prEN ISO 15607 (general rules), and several EN standards for NDT and destructive tests.

Applications and users

• Who uses it: Welding engineers, quality managers, fabricators, welding procedure writers, inspection bodies, certification authorities and designers specifying welding requirements.
• Practical value:
  • Qualifying beam welding procedures for production manufacture and repair across a wide range of metallic materials, shapes and thicknesses.
  • Ensuring repeatable weld quality by defining test-piece, inspection and documentation requirements.
  • Supporting mutual recognition of procedure qualifications and compliance with application standards.

Related standards

• ISO 15614 series (other parts for arc, TIG, spot, underwater, etc.)
• prEN ISO 15609-3 (Electron beam WPS)
• prEN ISO 15609-4 (Laser beam WPS)
• prEN ISO 15607 (General rules)
• EN ISO 13919-1 / prEN ISO 13919-2 (Quality levels for imperfections)
• Relevant EN NDT and destructive test standards (EN 570, EN 895, EN 970, EN 1435, EN 1714, EN 1321)

Keywords: ISO 15614-11, electron beam welding, laser beam welding, welding procedure qualification, WPS, WPQR, welding standard, NDT, destructive testing.