ISO 17658:2002

Overview

ISO 17658:2002 - Welding - Imperfections in oxyfuel flame cuts, laser beam cuts and plasma cuts - Terminology defines a standardized vocabulary for imperfections that occur directly from oxyfuel (oxy-gas), laser beam and plasma cutting of metallic materials. The standard collects and groups terms describing irregularities or deviations from the specified shape and location of a cut. ISO 17658:2002 clarifies terminology only - it does not prescribe causes, conditions of origin, quality evaluation criteria or corrective measures.

Key topics

• Scope of terminology: Terms cover imperfections originating directly from thermal cutting processes (oxyfuel, laser, plasma). External stresses or post‑cut handling effects are excluded.
• Grouping system: Imperfections are organized into clear groups:
  • Imperfections on cut edges (e.g., melting of cut edge, string of solidified droplets, cut edge overhang)
  • Imperfections on cut faces (geometrical deviations, concavity, etc.)
  • Slag
  • Cracks
  • Other imperfections
• Definitions-only approach: The document provides definitions and illustrative examples but does not assign acceptability limits or causes. It warns that two or more imperfections can appear together and that the grouping is not an evaluation of quality.
• Cross-references: ISO 17658:2002 references thermal cutting classification and geometrical tolerances (see ISO 9013) and is closely based on EN 12584. Annex A includes a comparison with terminology used in the USA.

Applications

ISO 17658:2002 is practical for:

• Creating consistent inspection reports, nonconformance reports and fabrication records where clear naming of cut defects is required.
• Writing technical specifications and contract language that reference standard defect terminology for oxyfuel, laser and plasma cutting.
• Training welders, cutters and inspection personnel to recognize and describe cut imperfections uniformly.
• Harmonizing international communication between designers, fabricators, inspectors and clients in metal fabrication and welding industries.
• Supporting documentation for QA/QC systems where unambiguous terminology reduces misinterpretation in cross-border projects.

Who uses this standard

• Welding and cutting engineers
• Quality assurance / quality control (QA/QC) inspectors
• Fabrication shops and subcontractors (oxyfuel, laser, plasma cutting)
• Procurement and specification writers
• Standards committees, technical authors and educators

Related standards

• ISO 9013 (Thermal cutting - Classification of thermal cuts - Geometrical product specification and quality tolerances) - normative reference for geometrical tolerances.
• EN 12584 - European standard on which ISO 17658 is closely based.

Keywords: ISO 17658:2002, welding terminology, oxyfuel cuts, laser beam cuts, plasma cuts, cut imperfections, cut defects, slag, cracks, cut face, cut edge, welding inspection.