ISO 15614-13:2023

Specification and qualification of welding procedures for metallic materials - Welding procedure test - Part 13: Upset (resistance butt) and flash welding

This document specifies how a preliminary welding procedure specification (pWPS) is qualified by welding procedure tests. This document defines the conditions for the execution of welding procedure tests and the range of qualification for welding procedures for all welding operations within the qualification of this document. Two classes of welding procedure tests are given in order to permit application to a wide range of welded fabrication. They are designated by classes A and B. In class A, the extent of testing is greater and the ranges of qualification are more restrictive than in class B. Procedure tests carried out to class A automatically qualify for class B requirements, but not vice-versa. When no class is specified in a contract or application standard, all the requirements of class A apply. NOTE Class B corresponds to level 1 and class A corresponds to level 2 in accordance with ISO 15614-1. This document applies to upset (resistance butt) welding and flash welding of any metallic materials in all product forms (e.g. with solid, tubular, flat or circular cross-sections). It covers the following resistance welding processes, as defined in ISO 4063:2023: - 24 – flash welding, using direct current or alternating current with various movement sequences, constant flashing and pulsed flashing; - 25 – resistance butt welding (upset welding), using direct current or alternating current with various current and pressure sequences.

Descriptif et qualification d'un mode opératoire de soudage pour les matériaux métalliques — Épreuve de qualification d'un mode opératoire de soudage — Partie 13: Soudage en bout par résistance pure et soudage par étincelage

Le présent document spécifie la manière dont un descriptif de mode opératoire de soudage préliminaire (DMOS-P) est qualifié par des épreuves de qualification de mode opératoire de soudage. Le présent document définit les conditions d'exécution des épreuves de qualification de modes opératoires de soudage et le domaine de validité des modes opératoires de soudage pour toutes les opérations de soudage relevant de la qualification du présent document. Deux classes d'épreuves de qualification de modes opératoires de soudage sont proposées afin de permettre une application à une large gamme de fabrications soudées. Elles sont désignées par les classes A et B. L'étendue des essais est plus grande dans la classe A, et les domaines de validité sont plus restrictifs que dans la classe B. Les épreuves de qualification de mode opératoire effectuées selon la classe A qualifient automatiquement les exigences de la classe B, mais pas l'inverse. Si aucune classe n'est spécifiée dans un contrat ou dans une norme d'application, toutes les exigences de la classe A s'appliquent. NOTE Selon l'ISO 15614-1, la classe B correspond au niveau 1, et la classe A correspond au niveau 2. Le présent document s'applique au soudage en bout par résistance pure et au soudage par étincelage de tout matériau métallique, sous toutes les formes de produits (par exemple des sections droites pleines ou tubulaires, plates ou circulaires). Il couvre les procédés de soudage par résistance suivants, tels que définis dans l’ISO 4063:2023: — 24 – soudage par étincelage en courant continu ou en courant alternatif avec diverses séquences de mouvement, étincelage continu et étincelage intermittent; — 25 – soudage en bout par résistance pure, en courant continu ou en courant alternatif avec diverses séquences de courant et d'effort.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 12-Nov-2023
• ICS: 25.160.10 - Welding processes
• Technical Committee: ISO/TC 44/SC 6 - Resistance welding and allied mechanical joining
• Drafting Committee: ISO/TC 44/SC 6 - Resistance welding and allied mechanical joining
• Current Stage: 6060 - International Standard published
• Start Date: 13-Nov-2023
• Due Date: 01-Jan-2024
• Completion Date: 13-Nov-2023

Relations

• Revises: ISO 15614-13:2021 - Specification and qualification of welding procedures for metallic materials - Welding procedure test - Part 13: Upset (resistance butt) and flash welding
• Effective Date: 02-Jul-2022

Overview

ISO 15614-13:2023 specifies how a preliminary welding procedure specification (pWPS) is qualified by welding procedure tests for upset (resistance butt) and flash welding of metallic materials. It defines test execution conditions, acceptance criteria and the range of qualification for welding procedures across all product forms (solid, tubular, flat, circular). Two test classes - Class A (more extensive) and Class B (less restrictive) - are provided; Class A qualification automatically covers Class B. When no class is specified, Class A applies.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Scope of processes: Covers resistance welding processes defined in ISO 4063 - 24 (flash welding) and 25 (resistance butt/upset welding), using AC or DC and various flashing/current/pressure sequences.
• Procedure documentation: pWPS must be prepared per ISO 15609-5 and include all relevant parameters.
• Welding procedure test (WPT): Defines how welding tests are performed and how test pieces/specimens are prepared (actual components preferred; comparable test specimens allowed when necessary).
• Test classes and range of qualification:
  • Class A (level 2 per ISO 15614-1): greater extent of testing, more restrictive qualification ranges.
  • Class B (level 1): broader ranges, reduced testing.
• Testing and examination methods:
  • Non‑destructive testing (NDT) options such as visual, penetrant, magnetic particle, eddy-current and ultrasonic testing.
  • Destructive tests including tensile, three‑point bend, cupping, bend tests, hardness distribution and macrosection examination.
  • Retesting and acceptance levels aligned with referenced ISO norms (e.g., ISO 11666, ISO 17639, ISO 17640).
• Qualification records: Results are recorded in a Welding Procedure Qualification Record (WPQR); example WPQR forms are provided in the standard.
• Personnel: Weld setters/operators who pass the WPT are qualified within ranges described in ISO 14732.

Practical applications - who uses ISO 15614-13

• Welding engineers, QA/QC managers and inspectors who develop, qualify and approve welding procedures for resistance welding.
• Manufacturers and fabricators using upset (resistance butt) or flash welding for components in sectors where controlled mechanical properties and repeatable weld quality are required.
• Standards and compliance teams ensuring welding procedure documentation (pWPS/WPQR) meets international requirements.

Related standards

• ISO 15609-5 (pWPS for resistance welding)
• ISO 15614-1 / ISO 15607 (general rules for welding procedure qualification)
• ISO 4063 (welding process classification)
• ISO 14732 (qualification of welding operators/weld setters)
• ISO 11666, ISO 17639, ISO 17640 (NDT and destructive testing guidance)

Keywords: ISO 15614-13, upset welding, resistance butt welding, flash welding, welding procedure qualification, pWPS, WPQR, resistance welding, NDT, welding standard.

Standards Content (Sample)

INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 15614-13
Fourth edition
2023-11
Specification and qualification of
welding procedures for metallic
materials — Welding procedure test —
Part 13:
Upset (resistance butt) and flash
welding
Descriptif et qualification d'un mode opératoire de soudage pour
les matériaux métalliques — Épreuve de qualification d'un mode
opératoire de soudage —
Partie 13: Soudage en bout par résistance pure et soudage par
étincelage
Reference number
© ISO 2023
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation, no part of this publication may
be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, or posting on
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or ISO’s member body in the country of the requester.
ISO copyright office
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Phone: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
Website: www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland
ii
Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction .v
1 Scope .1
2 Normative references .1
3 Terms and definitions . 2
4 Preliminary welding procedure specification . 2
5 Welding procedure test . 2
6 Test pieces and test specimens . 2
6.1 General . 2
6.2 Shape and dimensions of test specimens. 3
6.2.1 General . 3
6.2.2 Tensile test specimen . 4
6.2.3 Bend test specimen . 4
6.2.4 Cupping test specimen . 4
6.2.5 Hardness test specimen . 4
6.2.6 Bend test specimen using thin sheets . 5
6.3 Welding of components, test pieces or test specimens. 5
7 Testing and examination.5
7.1 Extent of testing . 5
7.2 Non-destructive testing (NDT) . . 5
7.2.1 General . 5
7.2.2 Visual test . 5
7.2.3 Penetrant test . 5
7.2.4 Magnetic particle test . 5
7.2.5 Eddy current test . 5
7.2.6 Ultrasonic test . 5
7.3 Destructive tests . 6
7.3.1 Tensile test . 6
7.3.2 Three-point bend test . 6
7.3.3 Cupping test . 6
7.3.4 Bend test . 6
7.4 Macrosection . 6
7.5 Hardness distribution . 6
7.6 Retesting . 6
8 Range of qualification .6
8.1 General . 6
8.2 Related to the manufacturer . 7
8.3 Related to the parent metal . 7
8.4 Welding procedures . 7
8.4.1 Welding process . 7
8.4.2 Welding equipment . 7
8.4.3 Pre- or post-weld heat treatment . 7
9 Welding procedure qualification record (WPQR).7
Annex A (informative) Example of a welding procedure qualification record (WPQR) form .8
Bibliography .13
iii
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out
through ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical
committee has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International
organizations, governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work.
ISO collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of
electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are
described in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the
different types of ISO document should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the
editorial rules of the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www.iso.org/directives).
ISO draws attention to the possibility that the implementation of this document may involve the use
of (a) patent(s). ISO takes no position concerning the evidence, validity or applicability of any claimed
patent rights in respect thereof. As of the date of publication of this document, ISO had not received
notice of (a) patent(s) which may be required to implement this document. However, implementers are
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Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation of the voluntary nature of standards, the meaning of ISO specific terms and
expressions related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to
the World Trade Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), see
www.iso.org/iso/foreword.html.
This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 44, Welding and allied processes,
Subcommittee SC 6, Resistance welding and allied mechanical joining, in collaboration with the European
Committee for Standardization (CEN) Technical Committee CEN/TC 121, Welding and allied processes,
in accordance with the Agreement on technical cooperation between ISO and CEN (Vienna Agreement).
This fourth edition cancels and replaces the third edition (ISO 15614-13:2021), which has been
technically revised.
The main changes are as follows:
— petal test changed to bend test and bend test changed to three-point bend test;
— scope aligned with ISO 15614-1;
— Clauses 2, 3, 7 and 8 updated;
— clause numbering revised;
— Annex A and Annex B combined into a new Annex A.
— Table 1 modified;
— Clause 9 aligned with ISO 15614-1;
A list of all parts in the ISO 15614 series can be found on the ISO website.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards
body. A complete listing of these bodies can be found at www.iso.org/members.html. Official
interpretations of ISO/TC 44 documents, where they exist, are available from this page:
https://committee.iso.org/sites/tc44/home/interpretation.html.
iv
Introduction
It is intended that all new welding procedure qualifications be carried out in accordance with this
document from the date of its publication.
However, this document does not invalidate previous welding procedure qualifications made to other
standards or specifications, provided the intent of its technical requirements is satisfied and the
previous welding procedure qualifications are relevant to the application and production work on
which they are to be employed.
The primary purpose of welding procedure qualification is to demonstrate that the joining process
proposed for construction is capable of producing joints having the required mechanical properties for
the intended application.
Details of the ISO 15614 series are given in ISO 15607:2019, Annex A.
v
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 15614-13:2023(E)
Specification and qualification of welding procedures for
metallic materials — Welding procedure test —
Part 13:
Upset (resistance butt) and flash welding
1 Scope
This document specifies how a preliminary welding procedure specification (pWPS) is qualified by
welding procedure tests.
This document defines the conditions for the execution of welding procedure tests and the range
of qualification for welding procedures for all welding operations within the qualification of this
document.
Two classes of welding procedure tests are given in order to permit application to a wide range of
welded fabrication. They are designated by classes A and B. In class A, the extent of testing is greater
and the ranges of qualification are more restrictive than in class B.
Procedure tests carried out to class A automatically qualify for class B requirements, but not vice-versa.
When no class is specified in a contract or application standard, all the requirements of class A apply.
NOTE Class B corresponds to level 1 and class A corresponds to level 2 in accordance with ISO 15614-1.
This document applies to upset (resistance butt) welding and flash welding of any metallic materials
in all product forms (e.g. with solid, tubular, flat or circular cross-sections). It covers the following
resistance welding processes, as defined in ISO 4063:2023:
— 24 – flash welding, using direct current or alternating current with various movement sequences,
constant flashing and pulsed flashing;
— 25 – resistance butt welding (upset welding), using direct current or alternating current with
various current and pressure sequences.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 669, Resistance welding — Resistance welding equipment — Mechanical and electrical requirements
ISO 4136, Destructive tests on welds in metallic materials — Transverse tensile test
ISO 5173, Destructive tests on welds in metallic materials — Bend tests
ISO 6520-2, Welding and allied processes — Classification of geometric imperfections in metallic materials
— Part 2: Welding with pressure
ISO 6892-1, Metallic materials — Tensile testing — Part 1: Method of test at room temperature
ISO 9015-2, Destructive tests on welds in metallic materials — Hardness testing — Part 2: Microhardness
testing of welded joints
ISO 11666, Non-destructive testing of welds — Ultrasonic testing — Acceptance levels
ISO 14732, Welding personnel — Qualification testing of welding operators and weld setters for mechanized
and automatic welding of metallic materials
ISO 15607:2019, Specification and qualification of welding procedures for metallic materials — General
rules
ISO 15609-5, Specification and qualification of welding procedures for metallic materials — Welding
procedure specification — Part 5: Resistance welding
ISO 15620:2019, Welding — Friction welding of metallic materials
ISO 17639, Destructive tests on welds in metallic materials — Macroscopic and microscopic examination of
welds
ISO 17640, Non-destructive testing of welds — Ultrasonic testing — Techniques, testing levels, and
assessment
ISO 23277, Non-destructive testing of welds — Penetrant testing — Acceptance levels
ISO 23279, Non-destructive testing of welds — Ultrasonic testing — Characterization of discontinuities in
welds
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in ISO 669, ISO 6520-2 and ISO 15607
apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https:// www .iso .org/ obp
— IEC Electropedia: available at https:// www .electropedia .org/
4 Preliminary welding procedure specification
The pWPS shall be prepared in accordance with ISO 15609-5. It shall specify all relevant parameters
and requirements.
5 Welding procedure test
The welding and testing of test pieces shall be in accordance with Clauses 6 and 7.
Any weld setter for resistance welding who satisfactorily undertakes the welding procedure test in
accordance with this document shall be qualified for the appropriate range of qualification given in
ISO 14732.
6 Test pieces and test specimens
6.1 General
The welded assembly tested shall be the actual component used in production. Test specimens shall be
cut from the actual component.
If not possible, comparable welds shall be performed on test specimens according to references included
in 6.2.
6.2 Shape and dimensions of test specimens
6.2.1 General
The testing includes non-destructive testing (NDT) and/or destructive test
...