ISO 17652-2:2003

Overview - ISO 17652-2:2003 (Welding properties of shop primers)

ISO 17652-2:2003 specifies laboratory tests to assess how shop primers influence weldability and the formation of weld porosity. It is Part 2 of the ISO 17652 series and focuses on two reproducible test methods - the Rating test (screening) and the Weldability test (detailed assessment) - for use with common arc welding processes and welding consumables.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Two test methods
  • Rating test: a screening procedure using a standard MAG (arc welding process 135) weld to compare relative weldability of primers by measuring porosity severity.
  • Weldability test: produces a standard fillet weld to evaluate combinations of shop primer and welding consumables under conditions closer to production.
• Specimen preparation
  • Rating test uses 10 specimens per primer (e.g., bright drawn steel plates 20 × 80 × 200 mm and 12 × 50 × 200 mm).
  • Coating thickness must be uniform and as supplied; specimens are normally dried for at least 10 days at >10 °C and <40 °C with ≥50% relative humidity unless otherwise reported.
• Welding parameters (prescribed for rating test)
  • MAG process (ISO 4063 process 135), shielding gas CO2 (C1), wire electrode G3Si1, 1.2 mm diameter, positive electrode polarity.
  • Example prescribed settings include specified current, voltage and travel speed with ±5% tolerances, gas flow and stick-out; details are in the standard.
• Porosity evaluation
  • Welds are broken (three-point loading) at ~150–250 °C to reveal pores.
  • Pores smaller than 0.5 mm are ignored; examine a 100 mm length (excluding ends).
  • Record number of pores >0.5 mm, total pore area (mm²), and mean pore area per pore.
• Reporting
  • Mandatory test report items include primer ID, coating thickness, welding procedure, consumables, surface condition, porosity data and other test conditions.

Applications and users

• Who uses it
  • Coating and primer manufacturers for product declarations.
  • Welding engineers, fabricators and quality assurance labs assessing primer suitability for welded structures.
  • Procurement and inspection teams validating primer/welding consumable combinations for production.
• Practical value
  • Predicts relative tendency for porosity when welding over shop primers.
  • Helps select primers and welding procedures to minimize weld defects and rework.
  • Provides reproducible data for supplier claims and process approvals.

Related standards

• ISO 17652 series: Part 1 (General requirements), Part 3 (Thermal cutting), Part 4 (Emission of fumes and gases).
• Normative references cited: EN 439 (shielding gases), EN 440 (wire electrodes), EN 10025 (structural steels), EN ISO 2808, EN ISO 6947, and welding procedure specification standards.

Keywords: ISO 17652-2, shop primers, weldability, rating test, weldability test, porosity, MAG welding, fillet weld, welding consumables, testing procedure.