oSIST prEN ISO 9606:2024
(Main)Qualification testing of welders - Fusion welding (ISO/DIS 9606:2024)
Qualification testing of welders - Fusion welding (ISO/DIS 9606:2024)
This document specifies the requirements for qualification testing of welders for fusion welding of steels,
aluminium, copper, nickel, titanium and zirconium.
In this document, the terms "aluminium", “copper”, “nickel”, “titanium” and “zirconium” refer to the
materials and their alloys.
This document provides a set of technical rules for a systematic qualification test of the welder, and
enables such qualifications to be uniformly accepted independently of the type of product, location and
examiner or examining body.
When qualifying welders, the emphasis is placed on the welder's ability to manually manipulate the
electrode, welding torch or welding blowpipe, thereby producing a weld of acceptable quality.
The fusion welding processes referred to in this document include welding processes which are
designated as manual or partly mechanized.
This document does not cover fully mechanized and automated welding processes which are covered by
ISO 14732.
The principles of this document can be applied to other fusion welding processes.
Prüfung von Schweißern - Schmelzschweißen (ISO/DIS 9606:2024)
Épreuve de qualification des soudeurs - Soudage par fusion (ISO/DIS 9606:2024)
Preskušanje usposobljenosti varilcev - Talilno varjenje (ISO/DIS 9606:2024)
General Information
- Status
- Not Published
- Public Enquiry End Date
- 01-Dec-2024
- Technical Committee
- VAR - Welding
- Current Stage
- 4020 - Public enquire (PE) (Adopted Project)
- Start Date
- 15-Oct-2024
- Due Date
- 04-Mar-2025
- Completion Date
- 28-Jan-2025
Relations
- Effective Date
- 01-Nov-2024
- Effective Date
- 01-Nov-2024
- Effective Date
- 01-Nov-2024
- Effective Date
- 01-Nov-2024
- Effective Date
- 01-Nov-2024
Overview
The draft international standard oSIST prEN ISO 9606:2024:2024, titled Qualification testing of welders - Fusion welding (ISO/DIS 9606:2024), is developed by ISO in cooperation with CEN. It specifies requirements for the systematic qualification testing of welders involved in fusion welding processes for various metals including steels, aluminium, copper, nickel, titanium, and zirconium alloys. The main objective is to ensure that welders have the necessary manual skills to produce welds of acceptable quality, applicable uniformly across product types, locations, and examination bodies.
This standard covers manual and partly mechanized fusion welding processes but excludes fully mechanized and automated welding, which are addressed by ISO 14732. It provides detailed guidelines on essential variables, testing conditions, acceptance criteria, and documentation required to certify welder qualifications.
Key Topics
- Scope and Materials: Qualification testing applies to fusion welding of steels and key non-ferrous metals and their alloys such as aluminium, copper, nickel, titanium, and zirconium.
- Welding Processes Covered: Manual or partly mechanized fusion welding methods are within scope; fully mechanized or automated processes are excluded.
- Qualification Range and Variables: Defines essential variables including welding processes, product types, weld types, filler and parent materials, dimensions, and positions.
- Testing and Examination Procedures: Specifies types of test pieces, destructive and non-destructive testing, welding conditions, and test specimen preparation.
- Acceptance Criteria: Establishes criteria for successful qualification based on mechanical testing and visual inspections.
- Qualification Validity and Revalidation: Specifies periods of validity, procedures for retests, revalidation, and conditions leading to revocation of certification.
- Certification Documentation: Includes requirements for welder qualification test certificates with example formats and job knowledge appendices.
Applications
- Industrial Welding Qualifications: Ensures welders meet competency requirements when working on critical structures in industries such as construction, shipbuilding, aerospace, and manufacturing.
- Quality Assurance: Facilitates uniform evaluation of welder skills to maintain consistent weld quality, supporting product safety and performance.
- Regulatory Compliance: Aligns with EU directives, helping organizations comply with relevant occupational and product standards.
- Training and Career Development: Assists training institutions and employers in validating welder capabilities and readiness for diverse welding tasks.
- Procurement and Contracting: Provides a standard reference for specifying minimum qualification requirements in supplier and contractor agreements.
Related Standards
- ISO 14732 – Qualification of welding operators for mechanized and automated welding processes.
- ISO 15614 Series – Specification and qualification of welding procedures for metallic materials.
- ISO 9606 (Previous Parts 1-5) – Previous editions covering qualification of welders for different materials and processes.
- CEN/TC 121 – European Committee for Standardization’s technical committee on welding processes.
- EU Directives – Compliance with essential requirements of PED 2014/68/EU and SPVD 2014/29/EU related to pressure equipment and safety valves.
Adoption of oSIST prEN ISO 9606:2024:2024 provides a harmonized, robust framework to certify welder skills in fusion welding. It supports manufacturing excellence, enhances safety, and promotes global acceptance of welder qualifications across multiple industries and metals, facilitating workforce mobility and industrial interoperability.
Frequently Asked Questions
oSIST prEN ISO 9606:2024 is a draft published by the Slovenian Institute for Standardization (SIST). Its full title is "Qualification testing of welders - Fusion welding (ISO/DIS 9606:2024)". This standard covers: This document specifies the requirements for qualification testing of welders for fusion welding of steels, aluminium, copper, nickel, titanium and zirconium. In this document, the terms "aluminium", “copper”, “nickel”, “titanium” and “zirconium” refer to the materials and their alloys. This document provides a set of technical rules for a systematic qualification test of the welder, and enables such qualifications to be uniformly accepted independently of the type of product, location and examiner or examining body. When qualifying welders, the emphasis is placed on the welder's ability to manually manipulate the electrode, welding torch or welding blowpipe, thereby producing a weld of acceptable quality. The fusion welding processes referred to in this document include welding processes which are designated as manual or partly mechanized. This document does not cover fully mechanized and automated welding processes which are covered by ISO 14732. The principles of this document can be applied to other fusion welding processes.
This document specifies the requirements for qualification testing of welders for fusion welding of steels, aluminium, copper, nickel, titanium and zirconium. In this document, the terms "aluminium", “copper”, “nickel”, “titanium” and “zirconium” refer to the materials and their alloys. This document provides a set of technical rules for a systematic qualification test of the welder, and enables such qualifications to be uniformly accepted independently of the type of product, location and examiner or examining body. When qualifying welders, the emphasis is placed on the welder's ability to manually manipulate the electrode, welding torch or welding blowpipe, thereby producing a weld of acceptable quality. The fusion welding processes referred to in this document include welding processes which are designated as manual or partly mechanized. This document does not cover fully mechanized and automated welding processes which are covered by ISO 14732. The principles of this document can be applied to other fusion welding processes.
oSIST prEN ISO 9606:2024 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 03.100.30 - Management of human resources; 25.160.01 - Welding, brazing and soldering in general; 25.160.10 - Welding processes; 77.080.20 - Steels. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.
oSIST prEN ISO 9606:2024 has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to SIST EN ISO 9606-1:2018, SIST EN ISO 9606-4:1999, SIST EN ISO 9606-5:2001, SIST EN ISO 9606-3:1999, SIST EN ISO 9606-2:2005. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.
oSIST prEN ISO 9606:2024 is associated with the following European legislation: EU Directives/Regulations: 2014/29/EU, 2014/68/EU; Standardization Mandates: M/601, M/602. When a standard is cited in the Official Journal of the European Union, products manufactured in conformity with it benefit from a presumption of conformity with the essential requirements of the corresponding EU directive or regulation.
You can purchase oSIST prEN ISO 9606:2024 directly from iTeh Standards. The document is available in PDF format and is delivered instantly after payment. Add the standard to your cart and complete the secure checkout process. iTeh Standards is an authorized distributor of SIST standards.
Standards Content (Sample)
SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-november-2024
Preskušanje usposobljenosti varilcev - Talilno varjenje (ISO/DIS 9606:2024)
Qualification testing of welders - Fusion welding (ISO/DIS 9606:2024)
Prüfung von Schweißern - Schmelzschweißen (ISO/DIS 9606:2024)
Épreuve de qualification des soudeurs - Soudage par fusion (ISO/DIS 9606:2024)
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: prEN ISO 9606
ICS:
03.100.30 Vodenje ljudi Management of human
resources
25.160.10 Varilni postopki in varjenje Welding processes
77.080.20 Jekla Steels
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.
DRAFT
International
Standard
ISO/DIS 9606
ISO/TC 44/SC 11
Qualification testing of welders —
Secretariat: ANSI
Fusion welding
Voting begins on:
ICS: 25.160.01
2024-10-01
Voting terminates on:
2024-12-24
THIS DOCUMENT IS A DRAFT CIRCULATED
FOR COMMENTS AND APPROVAL. IT
IS THEREFORE SUBJECT TO CHANGE
AND MAY NOT BE REFERRED TO AS AN
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD UNTIL
PUBLISHED AS SUCH.
This document is circulated as received from the committee secretariat.
IN ADDITION TO THEIR EVALUATION AS
BEING ACCEPTABLE FOR INDUSTRIAL,
TECHNOLOGICAL, COMMERCIAL AND
USER PURPOSES, DRAFT INTERNATIONAL
STANDARDS MAY ON OCCASION HAVE TO
ISO/CEN PARALLEL PROCESSING
BE CONSIDERED IN THE LIGHT OF THEIR
POTENTIAL TO BECOME STANDARDS TO
WHICH REFERENCE MAY BE MADE IN
NATIONAL REGULATIONS.
RECIPIENTS OF THIS DRAFT ARE INVITED
TO SUBMIT, WITH THEIR COMMENTS,
NOTIFICATION OF ANY RELEVANT PATENT
RIGHTS OF WHICH THEY ARE AWARE AND TO
PROVIDE SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION.
Reference number
ISO/DIS 9606:2024(en)
DRAFT
ISO/DIS 9606:2024(en)
International
Standard
ISO/DIS 9606
ISO/TC 44/SC 11
Qualification testing of welders —
Secretariat: ANSI
Fusion welding
Voting begins on:
ICS: 25.160.01
Voting terminates on:
THIS DOCUMENT IS A DRAFT CIRCULATED
FOR COMMENTS AND APPROVAL. IT
IS THEREFORE SUBJECT TO CHANGE
AND MAY NOT BE REFERRED TO AS AN
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD UNTIL
PUBLISHED AS SUCH.
This document is circulated as received from the committee secretariat.
IN ADDITION TO THEIR EVALUATION AS
BEING ACCEPTABLE FOR INDUSTRIAL,
© ISO 2024
TECHNOLOGICAL, COMMERCIAL AND
USER PURPOSES, DRAFT INTERNATIONAL
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation, no part of this publication may
STANDARDS MAY ON OCCASION HAVE TO
ISO/CEN PARALLEL PROCESSING
be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, or posting on
BE CONSIDERED IN THE LIGHT OF THEIR
the internet or an intranet, without prior written permission. Permission can be requested from either ISO at the address below
POTENTIAL TO BECOME STANDARDS TO
WHICH REFERENCE MAY BE MADE IN
or ISO’s member body in the country of the requester.
NATIONAL REGULATIONS.
ISO copyright office
RECIPIENTS OF THIS DRAFT ARE INVITED
CP 401 • Ch. de Blandonnet 8
TO SUBMIT, WITH THEIR COMMENTS,
CH-1214 Vernier, Geneva
NOTIFICATION OF ANY RELEVANT PATENT
Phone: +41 22 749 01 11
RIGHTS OF WHICH THEY ARE AWARE AND TO
PROVIDE SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION.
Email: copyright@iso.org
Website: www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland Reference number
ISO/DIS 9606:2024(en)
ii
ISO/DIS 9606:2024(en)
Contents Page
Foreword .v
Introduction .vi
1 Scope .1
2 Normative references .1
3 Terms and definitions . 2
4 Reference numbers, symbols and abbreviated terms . 4
4.1 General .4
4.2 Welding processes and reference numbers .4
4.3 Symbols and abbreviated terms .5
4.3.1 Welding process variants .5
4.3.2 Test pieces .5
4.3.3 Bend testing .6
4.3.4 Welding consumables – type of covering or core .6
5 Essential variables and qualification range .7
5.1 General .7
5.2 Welding processes .7
5.3 Product type .9
5.4 Weld type . .9
5.5 Filler material grouping and parent material relationship .10
5.5.1 General .10
5.5.2 Steels - Qualification range .10
5.5.3 Aluminium - Qualification range .11
5.5.4 Copper - Qualification range .11
5.5.5 Nickel - Qualification range . 12
5.5.6 Titanium - Qualification range . 13
5.5.7 Zirconium - Qualification range. 13
5.6 Filler material type .14
5.7 Dimensions .14
5.8 Welding positions .16
5.9 Weld details .19
6 Examination and testing .20
6.1 Examination . 20
6.2 Test pieces . 20
6.3 Welding conditions . 22
6.4 Test methods . 23
6.5 Test pieces and test specimens for destructive testing . 26
6.5.1 General . 26
6.5.2 Butt welds in plate and pipe . 26
6.5.3 Fillet weld on plate and pipe . 29
6.6 Test report . 29
7 Acceptance criteria for test pieces.29
8 Re-tests.30
9 Period of validity .31
9.1 Initial qualification .31
9.2 Confirmation of the welder's qualification test certificate .31
9.3 Revalidation of the welder’s qualification test certificate .31
9.4 Revocation of qualification .32
10 Welder's qualification test certificate.32
11 Designation .32
Annex A (informative) Example of a welder qualification test certificate .34
iii
ISO/DIS 9606:2024(en)
Annex B (informative) Job knowledge .36
Annex C (informative) Fillet weld/butt weld test assembly option .40
Annex D (informative) Welder qualification designation examples . 41
Annex E (informative) Former diameters calculated in accordance with formula (1) .46
Annex ZA (informative) Relationship between this European Standard and the Essential
Requirements of EU Directive 2014/68/EU (PED) aimed to be covered . 47
Annex ZB (informative) Relationship between this European Standard and the Essential
Requirements of EU Directive 2014/29/EU (SPVD) aimed to be covered .50
Bibliography .51
iv
ISO/DIS 9606:2024(en)
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 documents 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).
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent
rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights. Details of any patent
rights identified during the development of the document will be in the Introduction and/or on the ISO list of
patent declarations received (see www.iso.org/patents).
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 11, Qualification requirements for welding and allied processes personnel, 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).
Any feedback, question or request for official interpretation related to any aspect of this document should be
directed to the Secretariat of ISO/TC 44/SC 11 via your national standards body. A complete listing of these
bodies can be found at www.iso.org/members.html. Official interpretations, where they exist, are available
from this page: https://committee.iso.org/sites/tc44/home/interpretation.html.
This first edition cancels and replaces ISO 9606-1:2012, ISO 9606-2:2004, ISO 9606-3:1999, ISO 9606-4:1999,
and ISO 9606-5:2000.
v
ISO/DIS 9606:2024(en)
Introduction
A welder’s ability to follow verbal or written instructions and verification of a person's skills are important
factors in ensuring the quality of the welded product.
Testing a welder's skill in accordance with this document depends on the welding techniques and conditions
used, in which uniform rules are complied with and standard test pieces are used.
The principle of this document is that a qualification test, for a particular material, qualifies a welder not
only for the conditions used in the test, but also for all other conditions which are considered easier to weld
in accordance with this document. It is presumed that the welder has received training and/or has industrial
practice within the qualification range prior to performing the qualification test.
The qualification test can be used to qualify a welding procedure and a welder concurrently provided that all
the relevant requirements, e.g. test piece dimensions and testing requirements are satisfied (see ISO 15614
series).
All new qualifications are to be in accordance with this document from its date of issue.
At the end of its period of validity, existing welder qualification tests in accordance with the requirements of
ISO 9606-1. ISO 9606-2, ISO 9606-3, ISO 9606-4 and ISO 9606-5 or a national standard may be revalidated
in accordance with this document. This is providing that the technical intent of this document is satisfied. It
is necessary for the new qualification range to be interpreted in accordance with the requirements of this
document.
vi
DRAFT International Standard ISO/DIS 9606:2024(en)
Qualification testing of welders — Fusion welding
1 Scope
This document specifies the requirements for qualification testing of welders for fusion welding of steels,
aluminium, copper, nickel, titanium and zirconium.
In this document, the terms "aluminium", “copper”, “nickel”, “titanium” and “zirconium” refer to the materials
and their alloys.
This document provides a set of technical rules for a systematic qualification test of the welder and enables
such qualifications to be uniformly accepted independently of product type, location and examiner or
examining body.
When qualifying welders, the emphasis is placed on the welder's ability to manually manipulate the
electrode, welding torch, welding blowpipe, or laser gun, with or without filler material, to produce a weld of
acceptable quality.
The fusion welding processes referred to in this document include welding processes which are designated
as manual or partly mechanized.
This document does not cover fully mechanized and automated welding processes which are covered by
ISO 14732.
The principles of this document can be applied to other fusion welding processes.
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 3834-2, Quality requirements for fusion welding of metallic materials — Part 2: Comprehensive quality
requirements
ISO 3834-3, Quality requirements for fusion welding of metallic materials — Part 3: Standard quality
requirements
ISO 4063:2023, Welding, brazing, soldering and cutting — Nomenclature of processes and reference numbers
ISO 5173, Destructive tests on welds in metallic materials — Bend tests
ISO 5817:2023, Welding — Fusion-welded joints in steel, nickel, titanium and their alloys (beam welding
excluded) — Quality levels for imperfections
ISO 6520-1:2007, Welding and allied processes — Classification of geometric imperfections in metallic materials
— Part 1: Fusion welding
ISO 6947, Welding and allied processes — Welding positions
ISO 9017, Destructive tests on welds in metallic materials — Fracture test
ISO 10042:2018, Welding — Arc-welded joints in aluminium and its alloys — Quality levels for imperfections
ISO 10863, Non-destructive testing of welds — Ultrasonic testing — Use of time-of-flight diffraction
technique (TOFD)
ISO/DIS 9606:2024(en)
ISO 13588, Non-destructive testing of welds — Ultrasonic testing — Use of automated phased array technology
ISO 13919-1, Electron and laser-beam welded joints — Requirements and recommendations on quality levels for
imperfections — Part 1: Steel, nickel, titanium and their alloys
ISO 13919-2, Electron and laser-beam welded joints — Requirements and recommendations on quality levels for
imperfections — Part 2: Aluminium, magnesium and their alloys and pure copper
ISO 14175, Welding consumables — Gases and gas mixtures for fusion welding and allied processes
ISO/TR 15608, Welding — Guidelines for a metallic materials grouping system
ISO 15609-1, Specification and qualification of welding procedures for metallic materials — Welding procedure
specification — Part 1: Arc welding
ISO 15609-2, Specification and qualification of welding procedures for metallic materials — Welding procedure
specification — Part 2: Gas welding
ISO 15609-4, Specification and qualification of welding procedures for metallic materials — Welding procedure
specification — Part 4: Laser beam welding
ISO 17636-1, Non-destructive testing of welds — Radiographic testing — Part 1: X- and gamma-ray techniques
with film
ISO 17636-2, Non-destructive testing of welds — Radiographic testing — Part 2: X- and gamma-ray techniques
with digital detectors
ISO 17637, Non-destructive testing of welds — Visual testing of fusion-welded joints
ISO/TR 25901-1:2016, Welding and allied processes — Vocabulary — Part 1: General terms
ISO/TR 25901-3:2016, Welding and allied processes — Vocabulary — Part 3: Welding processes
ISO/TR 25901-4, Welding and allied processes — Vocabulary — Part 4: Arc welding
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in ISO/TR 25901-1, ISO/TR 25901-3,
ISO/TR 25901-4 and the following 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/
3.1
welder
person who holds and manipulates the electrode holder, torch or blowpipe during welding
3.2
manufacturing organization
workshop or site or both which is (are) under the same technical and quality management
3.3
examiner
person who has been appointed to verify compliance with the applicable standard
Note 1 to entry: In certain cases, an external independent examiner can be required.
ISO/DIS 9606:2024(en)
3.4
examining body
organization which has been appointed to verify compliance with the applicable standard
Note 1 to entry: In certain cases, an external independent examining body can be required.
3.5
certificate
notification of attainment by the examiner or examining body when all qualification
requirements have been satisfied
3.6
material backing
backing using material for the purpose of supporting molten weld metal
3.7
gas backing
backing using gas primarily for the purpose of preventing atmospheric reaction
3.8
flux backing
backing using flux primarily for the purpose of preventing atmospheric reaction
3.9
consumable insert
filler material that is placed at the root of the joint before welding to be completely fused into the weld metal
3.10
layer
stratum of weld metal consisting of one or more runs
3.11
root run
root pass
〈multi-layer welding〉 first run deposited in the root of a multi-run weld
3.12
filling run
〈multi-layer welding〉 run(s) deposited after the root run(s) and before the capping run(s)
3.13
capping run
〈multi-layer welding〉 run(s) visible on the weld face(s) after completion of welding
3.14
penetration depth
deposited thickness
thickness of the weld metal excluding any reinforcement
3.15
leftward welding
gas welding technique in which the filler rod is moved ahead of the blowpipe in relation to the welding
direction
3.16
rightward welding
gas welding technique in which the filler rod is moved behind the blowpipe in relation to the welding
direction
3.17
branch joint
joint of one or more tubular parts to the main pipe or to a shell or to a plate
ISO/DIS 9606:2024(en)
3.18
fillet weld
triangular weld between two or more parts for joining a T-joint, corner joint or lap joint
3.19
butt weld
groove weld
weld other than a fillet weld made in a groove or in a square preparation
3.20
verification
confirmation, through the provision of objective evidence, that specified requirements have been fulfilled
3.21
manual welding
welding in which the electrode holder, gun, torch or blowpipe is manipulated by hand
3.22
partly mechanized welding
semiautomatic welding
manual welding (3.21) where wire feed is mechanized
4 Reference numbers, symbols and abbreviated terms
4.1 General
The following abbreviations and reference numbers shall be used when completing the welder's qualification
test certificate (see Annex A).
4.2 Welding processes and reference numbers
This document is applicable to the following manual or partly mechanized fusion welding processes defined
in ISO/TR 25901-3, with reference numbers in accordance with ISO 4063:2023:
111 - manual metal arc welding
114 - self-shielded tubular cored arc welding
121 - submerged arc welding with solid wire electrode
125 - submerged arc welding with tubular cored electrode
131 - MIG welding with solid wire electrode
135 - MAG welding with solid wire electrode
136 - MAG welding with flux cored electrode
138 - MAG welding with metal cored electrode
141 - TIG welding with solid filler material
142 - autogenous TIG welding
143 - TIG welding with tubular cored filler material
145 - TIG welding using reducing gas and solid filler material
146 - TIG welding using reducing gas and tubular cored filler material
ISO/DIS 9606:2024(en)
147 - TAG welding (TIG welding using active gas)
15 - plasma arc welding
311 - oxyacetylene welding
52 – laser welding
The principles given in this document can be applied to other fusion welding processes.
4.3 Symbols and abbreviated terms
4.3.1 Welding process variants
WF - waveform control (only when waveform control is used).
NOTE Waveform controlled power sources can be used without WF control.
Transfer modes in accordance with ISO 4063:2023 (for process 131, 135, and 138 only):
D - Short-circuit transfer (dip transfer)
G - Globular transfer
S - Spray transfer
Example 1 MIG welding with solid wire electrode using short circuit transfer is designated as: 131-D.
Example 2 MAG welding with solid wire electrode, using spray transfer and waveform control is designated as:
135-S-WF.
4.3.2 Test pieces
a – design throat thickness
BW – butt weld
BBW – Branch butt weld
BFW – Branch fillet weld
D – pipe outside diameter
FW – fillet weld
l – test piece length
l – test piece half-width
l – examination length
f
P – Plate (product form)
s – deposited thickness or fused metal thickness in butt welds (excluding any reinforcement)
T – pipe (also covers tube, all forms of hollow and solid sections)
t – test piece thickness (plate or pipe wall thickness)
z – fillet weld leg length
ISO/DIS 9606:2024(en)
4.3.3 Bend testing
A - minimum percentage elongation required by the material specification
d - diameter of the former or the inner roller
t - bend test specimen thickness
s
4.3.4 Welding consumables – type of covering or core
nm - no filler material (processes 15, 52, 142, and 311 when no filler material is used)
The symbol for the type of covering or core is in accordance with ISO welding consumable standards as
follows:
03 - titania basic
10 - high cellulose, sodium
11 - high cellulose, potassium
12 - high titania, sodium
13 - high titania, potassium
14 - iron powder, titania
15 - basic, sodium
16 - basic, potassium
18 - basic, potassium, iron powder
19 - iron oxide titania, potassium
20 - high iron oxide
24 - iron power, titania
27 - high iron oxide, iron powder
28 - low-hydrogen potassium, iron powder
40 - not specified
45 - basic, sodium (not including PF)
48 - basic potassium, iron powder (not including PF)
A - acid covering
B - basic covering or electrode core — basic
C - cellulosic covering
R - rutile covering or electrode core — rutile, slow-freezing slag
RA - rutile — acid covering
RB - rutile — basic covering
ISO/DIS 9606:2024(en)
RC - rutile — cellulosic covering
RR - rutile — thick covering
M - metal cored electrode or metal powder
P - electrode core — rutile, fast-freezing slag
S - solid wire electrode — solid rod
V - electrode core — rutile or basic/fluoride
W - electrode core — basic/fluoride, slow-freezing slag
Y - electrode core — basic/fluoride, fast-freezing slag
Z - electrode core — other types
Other weld details
bs - welding from both sides
ci - consumable insert
fb - flux backing
gb - gas backing
lw - leftward welding
mb - material backing
ml - multi-layer
nb - no backing
rw - rightward welding
sl - single layer
ss - single side welding
5 Essential variables and qualification range
5.1 General
The qualification of welders is based on essential variables. For each essential variable, a qualification range
is defined. If the welder is required to weld outside of their qualification range, they shall perform a new
qualification test. The essential variables are given in 5.2 to 5.9.
5.2 Welding processes
Each welder qualification test qualifies the welding process or processes (see 4.2) used in the test.
A welder qualified for a single process is qualified to deposit weld metal using that process in the range in
accordance with Table 14.
A welder is qualified for two or more welding processes by welding individual test pieces. This is achieved by
welding with each process on separate test pieces or with a combination of processes (multi-process joint) in
a single test piece (combination test piece).
ISO/DIS 9606:2024(en)
A welder qualified on a combination process test piece is qualified to deposit weld metal in the range in
accordance with Table 14 based on the thickness deposited with each process in the combination test piece.
A welder can use each process individually or in different combinations on all parent material thicknesses
within the range for which they are qualified for that process in accordance with Table 14 provided they
stay within the other qualification limits for each process.
When welding aluminium with process 14, a change in the current type or polarity requires a separate
qualification.
Qualification using processes 15, 52, and 311 with filler material does not qualify for welding without filler
material and vice versa.
A change of welding process requires a new welder qualification test except where a process covers other
processes as given in Table 1.
Table 1 — Arc welding – Production welding process qualified
Welding process used Production welding process qualified
in welder qualifica-
a a
121 125 135 138 141 142 143 145 146
tion test
121 X X — — — — — — —
125 X X — — — — — — —
135 — — X X — — — — —
138 — — X X — — — — —
141 — — — — X X X X X
a
143 — — — — X X X X X
145 — — — — X X X X X
a
146 — — — — X X X X X
X indicates those processes for which the welder is qualified.
— indicates those processes for which the welder is not qualified.
a
See Table 13 for limitations.
A change of transfer mode (processes 131, 135, and 138) requires a new qualification test except as given in
Table 2.
Table 2 — Gas-shielded arc welding – Production welding transfer modes
Transfer mode used in Production welding transfer mode covered
welder qualification test
Dip Globular Spray
(short circuit)
Dip, D
X X X
(Short circuit)
Globular, G — X X
Spray, S — X X
X indicates the transfer modes covered.
— indicates the transfer modes that are not covered.
Qualification using transfer mode D and WF only covers using WF.
Qualification in transfer modes G or S using WF covers welding without WF and vice versa.
ISO/DIS 9606:2024(en)
5.3 Product type
The welder qualification test shall be performed on plate or pipe or a combination of plate and pipe. The
following criteria are applicable:
a) test pieces in pipe with outside diameter D > 25 mm qualify production welds in plates;
b) test pieces in plates qualify production welds in fixed pipe of outside pipe diameter D ≥ 500 mm; in
accordance with Table 17 and Table 18.
c) test pieces in plates qualify production welds in rotating pipes of outside pipe diameter D ≥ 75 mm in
accordance with Table 17 and Table 18.
d) For process 52: test pieces in plates qualify production welds in plates only. Test pieces in tubes qualify
production welds in tubes only.
5.4 Weld type
The welder qualification test shall be performed by butt welding or fillet welding. The following criteria are
applicable.
a) Butt weld qualification tests qualify for production butt welds of any type of joint except branch
connections [see also e)].
b) Butt weld qualification tests do not qualify for production fillet welds or vice versa.
c) A welder is qualified for both fillet welds and butt welds by welding a single combined fillet weld/butt
weld test piece (see Annex C). The combined fillet weld/butt weld test piece shall be ≥ 10 mm thick
consisting of a single bevel butt joint with permanent material backing and a root gap ≥ 12 mm as shown
in Figure C.1.). The fillet weld shall be examined visually and have a leg size ≤ 8 mm before completion
of the butt weld (see Figure C.2). For the fillet weld/butt weld combination test, all testing requirements
for butt welds specified in this document shall be fulfilled and associated qualification ranges for butt
and fillet welds shall be given based on the test conditions.
d) Butt weld qualification tests qualify production fillet welds if a supplementary fillet weld test piece (see
Figure 5) is performed. When more than one process or filler metal type was used in the butt weld test
piece, separate supplementary fillet weld tests shall be made for each process and filler metal type.
The supplementary fillet weld test piece shall be at least the same thickness as the butt weld test piece
but need not exceed 10 mm. Both plates shall be of equal thickness. The supplementary fillet weld shall
be made using a single layer in the PB position.
When a welder successfully passes the supplementary fillet weld test, the qualification range for fillet
welds shall be determined based on the qualification variables from the butt weld test, in accordance
with the tables for fillet welds. This includes all welding positions covered by the butt weld qualification
as well as fillet welding position PB (see Table 19).
The qualification range for the supplementary fillet weld test shall be given on the welder qualification
certificate.
A WPS or pWPS in accordance with 6.3 shall be used to produce the supplementary fillet weld test piece.
e) Butt welds in pipes qualify branch joints with an angle ≥ 60° and the same qualification range as in Table 1
to Table 21. For a branch weld, the qualification range is based on the outside diameter of the branch.
f) For applications where the type of weld cannot be qualified by means of either a butt weld or fillet weld
or for branch connections of less than 60°, a specific test piece shall be used to qualify the welder, when
specified (e.g. by the product standard).
ISO/DIS 9606:2024(en)
5.5 Filler material grouping and parent material relationship
5.5.1 General
Welder qualification tests shall be performed with filler material from one of the filler material groups listed
in Table 3, Table 5, Table 7, Table 9, Table 10 and Table 11.
When qualification tests are performed without filler material (e.g. processes 15, 52, 142, and 311), the
qualification range is limited to the group of the parent material in accordance with ISO/TR 15608 used in
the test. If the parent material is not covered by ISO/TR 15608, the qualification is only valid for the parent
material used in the test.
Welder qualification tests performed with filler materials not included in the filler material groups require
separate qualification tests. The qualification range is limited to the filler material used in the qualification test.
The parent material used in a qualification test shall be any material from the following sets of groups and
subgroups in accordance with ISO/TR 15608:
— steels: group 1 to 11;
— aluminium: group 21 to 26;
— copper: group 31 to 38;
— nickel: group 41 to 48;
— titanium: group 51 to 54;
— zirconium: group 61 to 62.
Other than as allowed in 5.5.5, welder qualification tests performed on any parent material within a group,
qualifies the welder to weld on all materials within that set of groups and subgroups and materials of similar
chemical composition to the materials in that set of groups and subgroups.
5.5.2 Steels - Qualification range
Filler material groups for welding steels are given in Table 3.
Table 3 — Steel filler material grouping
Filler mate- Parent material type Examples of applicable welding consumable stand-
rial ards
group
FE1 Non-alloy and fine grain steels ISO 2560, ISO 14341, ISO 636, ISO 14171, ISO 17632,
ISO 20378
FE2 High-strength steels ISO 18275, ISO 16834, ISO 26304, ISO 18276
FE3 Creep-resisting steels 0,3 % ≤ Cr < 3,75 % ISO 3580, ISO 21952, ISO 24598, ISO 17634, ISO 20378
FE4 Creep-resisting steels 3,75 ≤ Cr ≤ 12 % ISO 3580, ISO 21952, ISO 24598, ISO 17634
FE5 Stainless and heat-resisting steels ISO 3581, ISO 14343, ISO 17633
A welder qualification test using a filler material from one group in Table 3 qualifies the welder for all other
filler materials within the same group as well as those given in Table 4.
ISO/DIS 9606:2024(en)
Table 4 — Qualification range for filler material –steels
Filler mate- Qualification range
rial
FE1 FE2 FE3 FE4 FE5
group
FE1 X X — — —
FE2 X X — — —
FE3 X X X — —
FE4 X X X X —
FE5 — — — — X
X indicates those filler materials for which the welder is qualified.
— indicates those filler materials for which the welder is not qualified.
When welding steels to nickel based materials, see 5.5.5.
5.5.3 Aluminium - Qualification range
Filler material groups for welding aluminium are given in Table 5.
Table 5 — Aluminium filler material grouping
Filler ma- Filler material type Example of applicable standards
terial (numerical Symbol)
group
AL1 Aluminium Low Alloyed (Al 1xxx) ISO 18273
AL2 Aluminium Copper (Al 2xxx) ISO 18273
AL3 Aluminium Manganese (Al 3xxx) ISO 18273
AL4 Aluminium Silicon (Al 4xxx) ISO 18273
AL5 Aluminium Magnesium (Al 5xxx) ISO 18273
A welder qualification test using a filler material from one group in Table 5 qualifies the welder for all other
filler materials within the same group as well as those given in Table 6.
Table 6 — Qualification range for filler material – aluminium and alloys
Filler mate- Qualification range
rial
AL1 AL2 AL3 AL4 AL5
group
AL1 X – X – –
AL2 – X – – –
AL3 X – X – –
AL4 X – X X –
AL5 X – X X X
X indicates those filler materials for which the welder is qualified.
— indicates those filler materials for which the welder is not qualified.
When welding aluminium with process 131: an increase in the helium content of the shielding gas greater
than 50 % of that used in the qualification test requires a new welder qualification test.
5.5.4 Copper - Qualification range
Filler material groups for welding copper are given in Table 7.
A welder qualification test using a filler material from one group in Table 7 qualifies the welder for all other
filler materials within the same group as well as those given in Table 8.
ISO/DIS 9606:2024(en)
Table 7 — Copper filler material grouping
Filler mate- Type of filler material Examples of applicable standards
rial (numerical Symbol)
group
CU1 Copper Low Alloyed (Cu 1xxx) ISO 24373, ISO 17777
CU4 Copper Zinc (Cu 4xxx, Cu 68xx, Cu 77xx) ISO 24373
CU5 Copper Tin (Cu 5xxx) ISO 24373, ISO 17777
CU6 Copper Aluminium (Cu 60xx, Cu 61xx, Cu ISO 24373, ISO 17777
62xx, Cu 632x)
Copper Manganese (Cu 63xx)
Copper Silicon (Cu 65xx)
CU7 Copper Nickel (Cu 70xx, Cu 71xx) ISO 24373, ISO 17777
Table 8 — Qualification range for filler material – copper and alloys
Filler mate- Qualification range
rial
CU1 CU4 CU5 CU6 CU7
group
CU1 X X X — X
CU4 — X — — X
CU5 — — X — —
CU6 — — — X —
CU7 — X — — X
X indicates those filler materials for which the welder is qualified.
— indicates those filler materials for which the welder is not qualified.
5.5.5 Nickel - Qualification range
Filler material groups for welding nickel are given in Table 9.
A welder qualification test using a filler material from any group in Table 9 qualifies the welder for all other
groups in Table 9 and FE5 (see Table 3).
Welder qualification tests using nickel filler materials on Group 1 to 11 parent materials, or Group 41 to
Group 48 parent materials, qualify the welder for Group 1 to 11 and Group 41 to 48 parent materials using
nickel filler materials.
A change from activ
...
SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-november-2024
Preskušanje usposobljenosti varilcev - Talilno varjenje (ISO/DIS 9606:2024)
Qualification testing of welders - Fusion welding (ISO/DIS 9606:2024)
Prüfung von Schweißern - Schmelzschweißen (ISO/DIS 9606:2024)
Épreuve de qualification des soudeurs - Soudage par fusion (ISO/DIS 9606:2024)
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: prEN ISO 9606
ICS:
03.100.30 Vodenje ljudi Management of human
resources
25.160.10 Varilni postopki in varjenje Welding processes
77.080.20 Jekla Steels
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.
DRAFT
International
Standard
ISO/DIS 9606
ISO/TC 44/SC 11
Qualification testing of welders —
Secretariat: ANSI
Fusion welding
Voting begins on:
ICS: 25.160.01
2024-10-01
Voting terminates on:
2024-12-24
THIS DOCUMENT IS A DRAFT CIRCULATED
FOR COMMENTS AND APPROVAL. IT
IS THEREFORE SUBJECT TO CHANGE
AND MAY NOT BE REFERRED TO AS AN
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD UNTIL
PUBLISHED AS SUCH.
This document is circulated as received from the committee secretariat.
IN ADDITION TO THEIR EVALUATION AS
BEING ACCEPTABLE FOR INDUSTRIAL,
TECHNOLOGICAL, COMMERCIAL AND
USER PURPOSES, DRAFT INTERNATIONAL
STANDARDS MAY ON OCCASION HAVE TO
ISO/CEN PARALLEL PROCESSING
BE CONSIDERED IN THE LIGHT OF THEIR
POTENTIAL TO BECOME STANDARDS TO
WHICH REFERENCE MAY BE MADE IN
NATIONAL REGULATIONS.
RECIPIENTS OF THIS DRAFT ARE INVITED
TO SUBMIT, WITH THEIR COMMENTS,
NOTIFICATION OF ANY RELEVANT PATENT
RIGHTS OF WHICH THEY ARE AWARE AND TO
PROVIDE SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION.
Reference number
ISO/DIS 9606:2024(en)
DRAFT
ISO/DIS 9606:2024(en)
International
Standard
ISO/DIS 9606
ISO/TC 44/SC 11
Qualification testing of welders —
Secretariat: ANSI
Fusion welding
Voting begins on:
ICS: 25.160.01
Voting terminates on:
THIS DOCUMENT IS A DRAFT CIRCULATED
FOR COMMENTS AND APPROVAL. IT
IS THEREFORE SUBJECT TO CHANGE
AND MAY NOT BE REFERRED TO AS AN
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD UNTIL
PUBLISHED AS SUCH.
This document is circulated as received from the committee secretariat.
IN ADDITION TO THEIR EVALUATION AS
BEING ACCEPTABLE FOR INDUSTRIAL,
© ISO 2024
TECHNOLOGICAL, COMMERCIAL AND
USER PURPOSES, DRAFT INTERNATIONAL
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation, no part of this publication may
STANDARDS MAY ON OCCASION HAVE TO
ISO/CEN PARALLEL PROCESSING
be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, or posting on
BE CONSIDERED IN THE LIGHT OF THEIR
the internet or an intranet, without prior written permission. Permission can be requested from either ISO at the address below
POTENTIAL TO BECOME STANDARDS TO
WHICH REFERENCE MAY BE MADE IN
or ISO’s member body in the country of the requester.
NATIONAL REGULATIONS.
ISO copyright office
RECIPIENTS OF THIS DRAFT ARE INVITED
CP 401 • Ch. de Blandonnet 8
TO SUBMIT, WITH THEIR COMMENTS,
CH-1214 Vernier, Geneva
NOTIFICATION OF ANY RELEVANT PATENT
Phone: +41 22 749 01 11
RIGHTS OF WHICH THEY ARE AWARE AND TO
PROVIDE SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION.
Email: copyright@iso.org
Website: www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland Reference number
ISO/DIS 9606:2024(en)
ii
ISO/DIS 9606:2024(en)
Contents Page
Foreword .v
Introduction .vi
1 Scope .1
2 Normative references .1
3 Terms and definitions . 2
4 Reference numbers, symbols and abbreviated terms . 4
4.1 General .4
4.2 Welding processes and reference numbers .4
4.3 Symbols and abbreviated terms .5
4.3.1 Welding process variants .5
4.3.2 Test pieces .5
4.3.3 Bend testing .6
4.3.4 Welding consumables – type of covering or core .6
5 Essential variables and qualification range .7
5.1 General .7
5.2 Welding processes .7
5.3 Product type .9
5.4 Weld type . .9
5.5 Filler material grouping and parent material relationship .10
5.5.1 General .10
5.5.2 Steels - Qualification range .10
5.5.3 Aluminium - Qualification range .11
5.5.4 Copper - Qualification range .11
5.5.5 Nickel - Qualification range . 12
5.5.6 Titanium - Qualification range . 13
5.5.7 Zirconium - Qualification range. 13
5.6 Filler material type .14
5.7 Dimensions .14
5.8 Welding positions .16
5.9 Weld details .19
6 Examination and testing .20
6.1 Examination . 20
6.2 Test pieces . 20
6.3 Welding conditions . 22
6.4 Test methods . 23
6.5 Test pieces and test specimens for destructive testing . 26
6.5.1 General . 26
6.5.2 Butt welds in plate and pipe . 26
6.5.3 Fillet weld on plate and pipe . 29
6.6 Test report . 29
7 Acceptance criteria for test pieces.29
8 Re-tests.30
9 Period of validity .31
9.1 Initial qualification .31
9.2 Confirmation of the welder's qualification test certificate .31
9.3 Revalidation of the welder’s qualification test certificate .31
9.4 Revocation of qualification .32
10 Welder's qualification test certificate.32
11 Designation .32
Annex A (informative) Example of a welder qualification test certificate .34
iii
ISO/DIS 9606:2024(en)
Annex B (informative) Job knowledge .36
Annex C (informative) Fillet weld/butt weld test assembly option .40
Annex D (informative) Welder qualification designation examples . 41
Annex E (informative) Former diameters calculated in accordance with formula (1) .46
Annex ZA (informative) Relationship between this European Standard and the Essential
Requirements of EU Directive 2014/68/EU (PED) aimed to be covered . 47
Annex ZB (informative) Relationship between this European Standard and the Essential
Requirements of EU Directive 2014/29/EU (SPVD) aimed to be covered .50
Bibliography .51
iv
ISO/DIS 9606:2024(en)
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 documents 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).
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent
rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights. Details of any patent
rights identified during the development of the document will be in the Introduction and/or on the ISO list of
patent declarations received (see www.iso.org/patents).
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 11, Qualification requirements for welding and allied processes personnel, 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).
Any feedback, question or request for official interpretation related to any aspect of this document should be
directed to the Secretariat of ISO/TC 44/SC 11 via your national standards body. A complete listing of these
bodies can be found at www.iso.org/members.html. Official interpretations, where they exist, are available
from this page: https://committee.iso.org/sites/tc44/home/interpretation.html.
This first edition cancels and replaces ISO 9606-1:2012, ISO 9606-2:2004, ISO 9606-3:1999, ISO 9606-4:1999,
and ISO 9606-5:2000.
v
ISO/DIS 9606:2024(en)
Introduction
A welder’s ability to follow verbal or written instructions and verification of a person's skills are important
factors in ensuring the quality of the welded product.
Testing a welder's skill in accordance with this document depends on the welding techniques and conditions
used, in which uniform rules are complied with and standard test pieces are used.
The principle of this document is that a qualification test, for a particular material, qualifies a welder not
only for the conditions used in the test, but also for all other conditions which are considered easier to weld
in accordance with this document. It is presumed that the welder has received training and/or has industrial
practice within the qualification range prior to performing the qualification test.
The qualification test can be used to qualify a welding procedure and a welder concurrently provided that all
the relevant requirements, e.g. test piece dimensions and testing requirements are satisfied (see ISO 15614
series).
All new qualifications are to be in accordance with this document from its date of issue.
At the end of its period of validity, existing welder qualification tests in accordance with the requirements of
ISO 9606-1. ISO 9606-2, ISO 9606-3, ISO 9606-4 and ISO 9606-5 or a national standard may be revalidated
in accordance with this document. This is providing that the technical intent of this document is satisfied. It
is necessary for the new qualification range to be interpreted in accordance with the requirements of this
document.
vi
DRAFT International Standard ISO/DIS 9606:2024(en)
Qualification testing of welders — Fusion welding
1 Scope
This document specifies the requirements for qualification testing of welders for fusion welding of steels,
aluminium, copper, nickel, titanium and zirconium.
In this document, the terms "aluminium", “copper”, “nickel”, “titanium” and “zirconium” refer to the materials
and their alloys.
This document provides a set of technical rules for a systematic qualification test of the welder and enables
such qualifications to be uniformly accepted independently of product type, location and examiner or
examining body.
When qualifying welders, the emphasis is placed on the welder's ability to manually manipulate the
electrode, welding torch, welding blowpipe, or laser gun, with or without filler material, to produce a weld of
acceptable quality.
The fusion welding processes referred to in this document include welding processes which are designated
as manual or partly mechanized.
This document does not cover fully mechanized and automated welding processes which are covered by
ISO 14732.
The principles of this document can be applied to other fusion welding processes.
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 3834-2, Quality requirements for fusion welding of metallic materials — Part 2: Comprehensive quality
requirements
ISO 3834-3, Quality requirements for fusion welding of metallic materials — Part 3: Standard quality
requirements
ISO 4063:2023, Welding, brazing, soldering and cutting — Nomenclature of processes and reference numbers
ISO 5173, Destructive tests on welds in metallic materials — Bend tests
ISO 5817:2023, Welding — Fusion-welded joints in steel, nickel, titanium and their alloys (beam welding
excluded) — Quality levels for imperfections
ISO 6520-1:2007, Welding and allied processes — Classification of geometric imperfections in metallic materials
— Part 1: Fusion welding
ISO 6947, Welding and allied processes — Welding positions
ISO 9017, Destructive tests on welds in metallic materials — Fracture test
ISO 10042:2018, Welding — Arc-welded joints in aluminium and its alloys — Quality levels for imperfections
ISO 10863, Non-destructive testing of welds — Ultrasonic testing — Use of time-of-flight diffraction
technique (TOFD)
ISO/DIS 9606:2024(en)
ISO 13588, Non-destructive testing of welds — Ultrasonic testing — Use of automated phased array technology
ISO 13919-1, Electron and laser-beam welded joints — Requirements and recommendations on quality levels for
imperfections — Part 1: Steel, nickel, titanium and their alloys
ISO 13919-2, Electron and laser-beam welded joints — Requirements and recommendations on quality levels for
imperfections — Part 2: Aluminium, magnesium and their alloys and pure copper
ISO 14175, Welding consumables — Gases and gas mixtures for fusion welding and allied processes
ISO/TR 15608, Welding — Guidelines for a metallic materials grouping system
ISO 15609-1, Specification and qualification of welding procedures for metallic materials — Welding procedure
specification — Part 1: Arc welding
ISO 15609-2, Specification and qualification of welding procedures for metallic materials — Welding procedure
specification — Part 2: Gas welding
ISO 15609-4, Specification and qualification of welding procedures for metallic materials — Welding procedure
specification — Part 4: Laser beam welding
ISO 17636-1, Non-destructive testing of welds — Radiographic testing — Part 1: X- and gamma-ray techniques
with film
ISO 17636-2, Non-destructive testing of welds — Radiographic testing — Part 2: X- and gamma-ray techniques
with digital detectors
ISO 17637, Non-destructive testing of welds — Visual testing of fusion-welded joints
ISO/TR 25901-1:2016, Welding and allied processes — Vocabulary — Part 1: General terms
ISO/TR 25901-3:2016, Welding and allied processes — Vocabulary — Part 3: Welding processes
ISO/TR 25901-4, Welding and allied processes — Vocabulary — Part 4: Arc welding
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in ISO/TR 25901-1, ISO/TR 25901-3,
ISO/TR 25901-4 and the following 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/
3.1
welder
person who holds and manipulates the electrode holder, torch or blowpipe during welding
3.2
manufacturing organization
workshop or site or both which is (are) under the same technical and quality management
3.3
examiner
person who has been appointed to verify compliance with the applicable standard
Note 1 to entry: In certain cases, an external independent examiner can be required.
ISO/DIS 9606:2024(en)
3.4
examining body
organization which has been appointed to verify compliance with the applicable standard
Note 1 to entry: In certain cases, an external independent examining body can be required.
3.5
certificate
notification of attainment by the examiner or examining body when all qualification
requirements have been satisfied
3.6
material backing
backing using material for the purpose of supporting molten weld metal
3.7
gas backing
backing using gas primarily for the purpose of preventing atmospheric reaction
3.8
flux backing
backing using flux primarily for the purpose of preventing atmospheric reaction
3.9
consumable insert
filler material that is placed at the root of the joint before welding to be completely fused into the weld metal
3.10
layer
stratum of weld metal consisting of one or more runs
3.11
root run
root pass
〈multi-layer welding〉 first run deposited in the root of a multi-run weld
3.12
filling run
〈multi-layer welding〉 run(s) deposited after the root run(s) and before the capping run(s)
3.13
capping run
〈multi-layer welding〉 run(s) visible on the weld face(s) after completion of welding
3.14
penetration depth
deposited thickness
thickness of the weld metal excluding any reinforcement
3.15
leftward welding
gas welding technique in which the filler rod is moved ahead of the blowpipe in relation to the welding
direction
3.16
rightward welding
gas welding technique in which the filler rod is moved behind the blowpipe in relation to the welding
direction
3.17
branch joint
joint of one or more tubular parts to the main pipe or to a shell or to a plate
ISO/DIS 9606:2024(en)
3.18
fillet weld
triangular weld between two or more parts for joining a T-joint, corner joint or lap joint
3.19
butt weld
groove weld
weld other than a fillet weld made in a groove or in a square preparation
3.20
verification
confirmation, through the provision of objective evidence, that specified requirements have been fulfilled
3.21
manual welding
welding in which the electrode holder, gun, torch or blowpipe is manipulated by hand
3.22
partly mechanized welding
semiautomatic welding
manual welding (3.21) where wire feed is mechanized
4 Reference numbers, symbols and abbreviated terms
4.1 General
The following abbreviations and reference numbers shall be used when completing the welder's qualification
test certificate (see Annex A).
4.2 Welding processes and reference numbers
This document is applicable to the following manual or partly mechanized fusion welding processes defined
in ISO/TR 25901-3, with reference numbers in accordance with ISO 4063:2023:
111 - manual metal arc welding
114 - self-shielded tubular cored arc welding
121 - submerged arc welding with solid wire electrode
125 - submerged arc welding with tubular cored electrode
131 - MIG welding with solid wire electrode
135 - MAG welding with solid wire electrode
136 - MAG welding with flux cored electrode
138 - MAG welding with metal cored electrode
141 - TIG welding with solid filler material
142 - autogenous TIG welding
143 - TIG welding with tubular cored filler material
145 - TIG welding using reducing gas and solid filler material
146 - TIG welding using reducing gas and tubular cored filler material
ISO/DIS 9606:2024(en)
147 - TAG welding (TIG welding using active gas)
15 - plasma arc welding
311 - oxyacetylene welding
52 – laser welding
The principles given in this document can be applied to other fusion welding processes.
4.3 Symbols and abbreviated terms
4.3.1 Welding process variants
WF - waveform control (only when waveform control is used).
NOTE Waveform controlled power sources can be used without WF control.
Transfer modes in accordance with ISO 4063:2023 (for process 131, 135, and 138 only):
D - Short-circuit transfer (dip transfer)
G - Globular transfer
S - Spray transfer
Example 1 MIG welding with solid wire electrode using short circuit transfer is designated as: 131-D.
Example 2 MAG welding with solid wire electrode, using spray transfer and waveform control is designated as:
135-S-WF.
4.3.2 Test pieces
a – design throat thickness
BW – butt weld
BBW – Branch butt weld
BFW – Branch fillet weld
D – pipe outside diameter
FW – fillet weld
l – test piece length
l – test piece half-width
l – examination length
f
P – Plate (product form)
s – deposited thickness or fused metal thickness in butt welds (excluding any reinforcement)
T – pipe (also covers tube, all forms of hollow and solid sections)
t – test piece thickness (plate or pipe wall thickness)
z – fillet weld leg length
ISO/DIS 9606:2024(en)
4.3.3 Bend testing
A - minimum percentage elongation required by the material specification
d - diameter of the former or the inner roller
t - bend test specimen thickness
s
4.3.4 Welding consumables – type of covering or core
nm - no filler material (processes 15, 52, 142, and 311 when no filler material is used)
The symbol for the type of covering or core is in accordance with ISO welding consumable standards as
follows:
03 - titania basic
10 - high cellulose, sodium
11 - high cellulose, potassium
12 - high titania, sodium
13 - high titania, potassium
14 - iron powder, titania
15 - basic, sodium
16 - basic, potassium
18 - basic, potassium, iron powder
19 - iron oxide titania, potassium
20 - high iron oxide
24 - iron power, titania
27 - high iron oxide, iron powder
28 - low-hydrogen potassium, iron powder
40 - not specified
45 - basic, sodium (not including PF)
48 - basic potassium, iron powder (not including PF)
A - acid covering
B - basic covering or electrode core — basic
C - cellulosic covering
R - rutile covering or electrode core — rutile, slow-freezing slag
RA - rutile — acid covering
RB - rutile — basic covering
ISO/DIS 9606:2024(en)
RC - rutile — cellulosic covering
RR - rutile — thick covering
M - metal cored electrode or metal powder
P - electrode core — rutile, fast-freezing slag
S - solid wire electrode — solid rod
V - electrode core — rutile or basic/fluoride
W - electrode core — basic/fluoride, slow-freezing slag
Y - electrode core — basic/fluoride, fast-freezing slag
Z - electrode core — other types
Other weld details
bs - welding from both sides
ci - consumable insert
fb - flux backing
gb - gas backing
lw - leftward welding
mb - material backing
ml - multi-layer
nb - no backing
rw - rightward welding
sl - single layer
ss - single side welding
5 Essential variables and qualification range
5.1 General
The qualification of welders is based on essential variables. For each essential variable, a qualification range
is defined. If the welder is required to weld outside of their qualification range, they shall perform a new
qualification test. The essential variables are given in 5.2 to 5.9.
5.2 Welding processes
Each welder qualification test qualifies the welding process or processes (see 4.2) used in the test.
A welder qualified for a single process is qualified to deposit weld metal using that process in the range in
accordance with Table 14.
A welder is qualified for two or more welding processes by welding individual test pieces. This is achieved by
welding with each process on separate test pieces or with a combination of processes (multi-process joint) in
a single test piece (combination test piece).
ISO/DIS 9606:2024(en)
A welder qualified on a combination process test piece is qualified to deposit weld metal in the range in
accordance with Table 14 based on the thickness deposited with each process in the combination test piece.
A welder can use each process individually or in different combinations on all parent material thicknesses
within the range for which they are qualified for that process in accordance with Table 14 provided they
stay within the other qualification limits for each process.
When welding aluminium with process 14, a change in the current type or polarity requires a separate
qualification.
Qualification using processes 15, 52, and 311 with filler material does not qualify for welding without filler
material and vice versa.
A change of welding process requires a new welder qualification test except where a process covers other
processes as given in Table 1.
Table 1 — Arc welding – Production welding process qualified
Welding process used Production welding process qualified
in welder qualifica-
a a
121 125 135 138 141 142 143 145 146
tion test
121 X X — — — — — — —
125 X X — — — — — — —
135 — — X X — — — — —
138 — — X X — — — — —
141 — — — — X X X X X
a
143 — — — — X X X X X
145 — — — — X X X X X
a
146 — — — — X X X X X
X indicates those processes for which the welder is qualified.
— indicates those processes for which the welder is not qualified.
a
See Table 13 for limitations.
A change of transfer mode (processes 131, 135, and 138) requires a new qualification test except as given in
Table 2.
Table 2 — Gas-shielded arc welding – Production welding transfer modes
Transfer mode used in Production welding transfer mode covered
welder qualification test
Dip Globular Spray
(short circuit)
Dip, D
X X X
(Short circuit)
Globular, G — X X
Spray, S — X X
X indicates the transfer modes covered.
— indicates the transfer modes that are not covered.
Qualification using transfer mode D and WF only covers using WF.
Qualification in transfer modes G or S using WF covers welding without WF and vice versa.
ISO/DIS 9606:2024(en)
5.3 Product type
The welder qualification test shall be performed on plate or pipe or a combination of plate and pipe. The
following criteria are applicable:
a) test pieces in pipe with outside diameter D > 25 mm qualify production welds in plates;
b) test pieces in plates qualify production welds in fixed pipe of outside pipe diameter D ≥ 500 mm; in
accordance with Table 17 and Table 18.
c) test pieces in plates qualify production welds in rotating pipes of outside pipe diameter D ≥ 75 mm in
accordance with Table 17 and Table 18.
d) For process 52: test pieces in plates qualify production welds in plates only. Test pieces in tubes qualify
production welds in tubes only.
5.4 Weld type
The welder qualification test shall be performed by butt welding or fillet welding. The following criteria are
applicable.
a) Butt weld qualification tests qualify for production butt welds of any type of joint except branch
connections [see also e)].
b) Butt weld qualification tests do not qualify for production fillet welds or vice versa.
c) A welder is qualified for both fillet welds and butt welds by welding a single combined fillet weld/butt
weld test piece (see Annex C). The combined fillet weld/butt weld test piece shall be ≥ 10 mm thick
consisting of a single bevel butt joint with permanent material backing and a root gap ≥ 12 mm as shown
in Figure C.1.). The fillet weld shall be examined visually and have a leg size ≤ 8 mm before completion
of the butt weld (see Figure C.2). For the fillet weld/butt weld combination test, all testing requirements
for butt welds specified in this document shall be fulfilled and associated qualification ranges for butt
and fillet welds shall be given based on the test conditions.
d) Butt weld qualification tests qualify production fillet welds if a supplementary fillet weld test piece (see
Figure 5) is performed. When more than one process or filler metal type was used in the butt weld test
piece, separate supplementary fillet weld tests shall be made for each process and filler metal type.
The supplementary fillet weld test piece shall be at least the same thickness as the butt weld test piece
but need not exceed 10 mm. Both plates shall be of equal thickness. The supplementary fillet weld shall
be made using a single layer in the PB position.
When a welder successfully passes the supplementary fillet weld test, the qualification range for fillet
welds shall be determined based on the qualification variables from the butt weld test, in accordance
with the tables for fillet welds. This includes all welding positions covered by the butt weld qualification
as well as fillet welding position PB (see Table 19).
The qualification range for the supplementary fillet weld test shall be given on the welder qualification
certificate.
A WPS or pWPS in accordance with 6.3 shall be used to produce the supplementary fillet weld test piece.
e) Butt welds in pipes qualify branch joints with an angle ≥ 60° and the same qualification range as in Table 1
to Table 21. For a branch weld, the qualification range is based on the outside diameter of the branch.
f) For applications where the type of weld cannot be qualified by means of either a butt weld or fillet weld
or for branch connections of less than 60°, a specific test piece shall be used to qualify the welder, when
specified (e.g. by the product standard).
ISO/DIS 9606:2024(en)
5.5 Filler material grouping and parent material relationship
5.5.1 General
Welder qualification tests shall be performed with filler material from one of the filler material groups listed
in Table 3, Table 5, Table 7, Table 9, Table 10 and Table 11.
When qualification tests are performed without filler material (e.g. processes 15, 52, 142, and 311), the
qualification range is limited to the group of the parent material in accordance with ISO/TR 15608 used in
the test. If the parent material is not covered by ISO/TR 15608, the qualification is only valid for the parent
material used in the test.
Welder qualification tests performed with filler materials not included in the filler material groups require
separate qualification tests. The qualification range is limited to the filler material used in the qualification test.
The parent material used in a qualification test shall be any material from the following sets of groups and
subgroups in accordance with ISO/TR 15608:
— steels: group 1 to 11;
— aluminium: group 21 to 26;
— copper: group 31 to 38;
— nickel: group 41 to 48;
— titanium: group 51 to 54;
— zirconium: group 61 to 62.
Other than as allowed in 5.5.5, welder qualification tests performed on any parent material within a group,
qualifies the welder to weld on all materials within that set of groups and subgroups and materials of similar
chemical composition to the materials in that set of groups and subgroups.
5.5.2 Steels - Qualification range
Filler material groups for welding steels are given in Table 3.
Table 3 — Steel filler material grouping
Filler mate- Parent material type Examples of applicable welding consumable stand-
rial ards
group
FE1 Non-alloy and fine grain steels ISO 2560, ISO 14341, ISO 636, ISO 14171, ISO 17632,
ISO 20378
FE2 High-strength steels ISO 18275, ISO 16834, ISO 26304, ISO 18276
FE3 Creep-resisting steels 0,3 % ≤ Cr < 3,75 % ISO 3580, ISO 21952, ISO 24598, ISO 17634, ISO 20378
FE4 Creep-resisting steels 3,75 ≤ Cr ≤ 12 % ISO 3580, ISO 21952, ISO 24598, ISO 17634
FE5 Stainless and heat-resisting steels ISO 3581, ISO 14343, ISO 17633
A welder qualification test using a filler material from one group in Table 3 qualifies the welder for all other
filler materials within the same group as well as those given in Table 4.
ISO/DIS 9606:2024(en)
Table 4 — Qualification range for filler material –steels
Filler mate- Qualification range
rial
FE1 FE2 FE3 FE4 FE5
group
FE1 X X — — —
FE2 X X — — —
FE3 X X X — —
FE4 X X X X —
FE5 — — — — X
X indicates those filler materials for which the welder is qualified.
— indicates those filler materials for which the welder is not qualified.
When welding steels to nickel based materials, see 5.5.5.
5.5.3 Aluminium - Qualification range
Filler material groups for welding aluminium are given in Table 5.
Table 5 — Aluminium filler material grouping
Filler ma- Filler material type Example of applicable standards
terial (numerical Symbol)
group
AL1 Aluminium Low Alloyed (Al 1xxx) ISO 18273
AL2 Aluminium Copper (Al 2xxx) ISO 18273
AL3 Aluminium Manganese (Al 3xxx) ISO 18273
AL4 Aluminium Silicon (Al 4xxx) ISO 18273
AL5 Aluminium Magnesium (Al 5xxx) ISO 18273
A welder qualification test using a filler material from one group in Table 5 qualifies the welder for all other
filler materials within the same group as well as those given in Table 6.
Table 6 — Qualification range for filler material – aluminium and alloys
Filler mate- Qualification range
rial
AL1 AL2 AL3 AL4 AL5
group
AL1 X – X – –
AL2 – X – – –
AL3 X – X – –
AL4 X – X X –
AL5 X – X X X
X indicates those filler materials for which the welder is qualified.
— indicates those filler materials for which the welder is not qualified.
When welding aluminium with process 131: an increase in the helium content of the shielding gas greater
than 50 % of that used in the qualification test requires a new welder qualification test.
5.5.4 Copper - Qualification range
Filler material groups for welding copper are given in Table 7.
A welder qualification test using a filler material from one group in Table 7 qualifies the welder for all other
filler materials within the same group as well as those given in Table 8.
ISO/DIS 9606:2024(en)
Table 7 — Copper filler material grouping
Filler mate- Type of filler material Examples of applicable standards
rial (numerical Symbol)
group
CU1 Copper Low Alloyed (Cu 1xxx) ISO 24373, ISO 17777
CU4 Copper Zinc (Cu 4xxx, Cu 68xx, Cu 77xx) ISO 24373
CU5 Copper Tin (Cu 5xxx) ISO 24373, ISO 17777
CU6 Copper Aluminium (Cu 60xx, Cu 61xx, Cu ISO 24373, ISO 17777
62xx, Cu 632x)
Copper Manganese (Cu 63xx)
Copper Silicon (Cu 65xx)
CU7 Copper Nickel (Cu 70xx, Cu 71xx) ISO 24373, ISO 17777
Table 8 — Qualification range for filler material – copper and alloys
Filler mate- Qualification range
rial
CU1 CU4 CU5 CU6 CU7
group
CU1 X X X — X
CU4 — X — — X
CU5 — — X — —
CU6 — — — X —
CU7 — X — — X
X indicates those filler materials for which the welder is qualified.
— indicates those filler materials for which the welder is not qualified.
5.5.5 Nickel - Qualification range
Filler material groups for welding nickel are given in Table 9.
A welder qualification test using a filler material from any group in Table 9 qualifies the welder for all other
groups in Table 9 and FE5 (see Table 3).
Welder qualification tests using nickel filler materials on Group 1 to 11 parent materials, or Group 41 to
Group 48 parent materials, qualify the welder for Group 1 to 11 and Group 41 to 48 parent materials using
nickel filler materials.
A change from activ
...














Questions, Comments and Discussion
Ask us and Technical Secretary will try to provide an answer. You can facilitate discussion about the standard in here.
Loading comments...