ISO 9606-2:2004

Overview

ISO 9606-2:2004 - Qualification test of welders - Fusion welding - Part 2: Aluminium and aluminium alloys defines requirements for the systematic qualification of welders performing fusion welding on aluminium and aluminium alloys. The standard focuses on manual and partly mechanized fusion processes (e.g., MIG, TIG, plasma arc), and is independent of product type, location and examining body. It explicitly does not apply to fully mechanized or automated welding.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Scope and purpose: Verifies a welder’s ability to manually manipulate the welding torch to produce acceptable aluminium welds.
• Permitted processes: Manual or partly mechanized fusion welding processes (reference numbers 131 = MIG, 141 = TIG, 15 = plasma arc).
• Essential variables: Sets out variables and ranges (welding process, material groups, welding positions, joint type, thickness ranges, consumables) that determine the extent of qualification.
• Test pieces and dimensions: Specifies shapes, dimensions and number of test pieces required for qualification tests.
• Examination and testing: Defines visual, destructive and non‑destructive examinations, test specimen preparation, and acceptance criteria for weld quality.
• Results and documentation: Requirements for test records, qualification certificates and designation of the welder qualification.
• Validity and re‑testing: Rules for the initial period of validity, confirmation, prolongation and re‑tests of welder qualifications.
• Independence and conformity: Qualification rules are intended to be uniform and reproducible across examiners and bodies.

Practical applications and users

ISO 9606-2:2004 is used by:

• Employers and fabricators to verify welder competence for aluminium structures and components.
• Welding schools and training centers as a basis for practical testing and certification programs.
• Certification and examining bodies to create consistent test procedures and issue welder certificates.
• Welding supervisors, inspectors and quality managers for hiring, competency assessment and compliance with contractual or regulatory requirements.
• Procurement and engineering teams to specify qualified personnel for aluminium welding works.

Benefits:

• Ensures reproducible, international welder qualification for aluminium welding.
• Facilitates mobility of certified welders across projects and countries.
• Supports quality assurance and safety in aluminium fabrication.

Related standards

• EN ISO 15614-2 (welding procedure tests for aluminium)
• EN 1418 / ISO 14732 (fully mechanized/automatic welding personnel - excluded here)
• EN ISO 4063 (welding process nomenclature)
• EN ISO 15609-1, EN ISO 6947, EN 30042 (referenced for procedure, positions and quality guidance)

Keywords: ISO 9606-2:2004, welder qualification, aluminium welding, fusion welding, MIG, TIG, plasma arc, welder certification.