ISO 9692-2:2024

Overview

ISO 9692-2:2024 - "Welding and allied processes - Joint preparation - Part 2: Submerged arc welding of steels" provides standardized guidance on types, shapes and dimensions of joint preparations for submerged arc welding (SAW) with one wire electrode (ISO 4063 process 121) applied to steel. The 2024 second edition focuses on fully penetrated welds and covers welding positions PA and PB (ISO 6947). It is intended to be used alongside ISO 9692-1 and is suitable for all weldable steels.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Scope: Joint preparations specifically for one-wire SAW (process 121); applies to fully penetrated welds and welding positions PA and PB. Use of position PC requires special preparation.
• Types of joint preparation: Detailed joint typologies (square, single‑V, double‑V, single‑U, J‑preparations, bevels etc.) with recommended dimensions, angles, root gaps, radii and thickness ranges are given in Table 1 (welds from one side) and Table 2 (welds from both sides).
• Root and backing considerations:
  • Root gaps are measured after tack welding (if used).
  • Backing materials/dimensions are not prescribed - root runs or backing runs may be used and must be specified in the welding procedure.
  • For some joint types a root run or backing run is recommended; slag grinding between runs can be required by the application standard or agreement.
• Application limits: For partly penetrated welds, alternative preparations, shapes and dimensions may be used if specified in a relevant application standard or mutually agreed.
• Documentation and quality: Welding procedure specifications should follow ISO 15609-1; quality requirements referenced via the ISO 3834 series.

Practical applications and users

• Who uses it: Welding engineers, fabricators, structural steel designers, welding procedure writers, QA/QC inspectors, and standards committees specifying joint details for SAW fabrication.
• Where it's applied: Heavy fabrication, pressure vessel and plate welding, shipbuilding, pipeline and structural steelwork where submerged arc welding is selected for high‑deposit, single‑wire applications.
• Why it matters: Provides consistent joint geometry and dimensional tolerances that improve weld quality, repeatability and inspection criteria - essential for producing fully penetrated, high‑productivity SAW joints.

Related standards

• ISO 9692-1 (other arc welding processes)
• ISO 15609-1 (welding procedure specification)
• ISO 2553 (weld symbolic representation)
• ISO 6947 (welding positions)
• ISO 3834 series (quality requirements for fusion welding)
• ISO 4063 (welding process nomenclature)

For implementation, reference the tables in ISO 9692-2:2024 for exact joint dimensions and ensure welding procedures and quality levels are specified in accordance with ISO 15609-1 and ISO 3834 as applicable.