ISO 9606-3:1999

Overview

ISO 9606-3:1999 - Approval testing of welders - Fusion welding - Part 3: Copper and copper alloys specifies the requirements for approval testing and certification of welders who perform fusion welding on copper and weldable copper alloys. The standard sets out essential requirements, ranges of approval, test conditions, acceptance criteria and certification rules aimed at mutual recognition of welder competence by examining bodies. It covers manual and partly mechanized fusion welding processes and applies to butt and fillet welds on plates and pipes made from wrought, forged or cast copper materials.

Key Topics

• Scope and purpose: Defines what is required for welder approval testing for copper and copper alloys and when tests are to be applied.
• Welding processes covered: Includes common fusion processes such as SMAW (111), MIG (131), TIG (141), plasma arc (15) and oxy-acetylene (311) - other processes by agreement. Fully mechanized/automatic processes are excluded.
• Joint types and test pieces: Approval tests use standardized butt (BW) and fillet (FW) test pieces in plates (P) and pipes/tubes (T).
• Material groups: Copper and copper alloys are grouped (e.g., pure copper, copper‑zinc, copper‑tin, copper‑nickel, copper‑aluminium, copper‑nickel‑zinc) so a single test can confer approval across similar metallurgical groups where permitted.
• Essential variables: Criteria include welding process, joint type, material group, consumables (filler metal and shielding gas compatibility), thickness/diameter ranges and welding positions.
• Examination & tests: Specifies supervision, shapes/dimensions of test pieces, welding conditions, destructive and non‑destructive tests (visual, penetrant, radiographic, bend, tensile, fracture, macro/microscopic as referenced).
• Certification: Certificates are issued by the examiner/examining body; the standard sets validity, re‑test and prolongation rules. Annex A contains guidance on job knowledge (practical experience and safety) though testing of job knowledge is non‑mandatory.
• Compatibility with application standards: Tests per ISO 9606-3 are conducted unless a more severe application standard applies.

Applications

ISO 9606-3:1999 is used by:

• Welding supervisors, QA/QC and inspection bodies to qualify welders for copper fabrication
• Fabricators and manufacturers producing copper components (pipes, tubes, heat‑exchange parts, electrical connectors, HVAC and plumbing components)
• Training and certification centers that prepare welders for industry‑recognized approval

Related standards

• Other parts of ISO 9606 (Part 1 - Steels; Part 2 - Aluminium; Parts 4–6 for other metals)
• Referenced standards for test methods and WPS/WPS specification (e.g., EN/ISO documents listed in the standard such as EN 288‑2 and relevant NDT/destructive test standards)

Keywords: ISO 9606-3:1999, approval testing of welders, fusion welding, copper and copper alloys, welder certification, TIG, MIG, oxy‑acetylene, welder approval.