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Whats new in ISO 15614-1:2017?

Introduction

The long-awaited revision of ISO 15614 Part 1, the ISO standard for the qualification of arc and gas welding procedures for steels and Nickel alloys, was

completed in the first half of 2017. The new version of the standard was published during June of the same year as ISO 15614-1:2017 and adopted by
BSI as BS EN ISO 15614-1:2017. This superseded BS EN ISO 15614-1:2004+A2:2012, which was withdrawn.

The 2017 version of the standard is the result of an extensive and lengthy revision process completed by the ISO /TC 44/SC 10 subcommittee and differs

significantly from the previous version in format, with some major changes in technical content. This article presents the most significant differences

between the 2017 and the previous version of the standards, explains the rationale behind the changes and provides practical guidance on how to deal
with them.

Questions on the application of clauses of ISO 15614-1 that are not described here, as well as on other welding-related standards, can be submitted via
TWIs technical enquiry form.
DISCLAIMER - TWI is not authorised to give official interpretations of BS EN ISO standards. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of

the authors and do not reflect the official policy or position of ISO, CEN or BSI. This article is not to be taken as a substitute for the standard, which must
be consulted where its application is required. No liability rests with TWI for any damages arising from the content of this article.

New: welding procedure test levels

The main change is that ISO 15614-1:2017 includes two levels of welding procedure tests, designated by levels 1 and 2. Level 1 is based on
requirements of Section IX of the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (ASME IX) and Level 2 is based on the previous issues of ISO 15614-1.

In recent years, various industry sectors and standard development organisations have been pushing towards harmonisation and convergence between

international standards, including those for welding qualifications. At the start of the revision process, the relevant ISO subcommittee carried out a

comparison between corresponding requirements in ISO 15614-1 and ASME IX to evaluate the possibility to develop a one-size-fits-all standard. This

exercise showed that the differences were such that these two standards could not be merged into one, hence the decision to include a two-level
approach.

The introduction to the standard explains that this approach was introduced in order to permit application to a wide range of welded fabrication. In

Level 2, the extent of testing is greater and the ranges of qualification are more restrictive than in Level 1. Hence, procedure tests carried out to Level 2

automatically qualify for Level 1 requirements, but not vice-versa. It should also be noted that when no level is specified in a contract or application
standard, the requirements for Level 2 apply.

As explained in the UK National Foreword to BS EN ISO 15614-1:2017, during the development of this standard, the UK committee voted against its

approval. The UK committee was concerned that the format of the standard (two levels being presented side-by-side, mixed with text common to both

levels) may cause a problem when working to either of the two welding procedure test levels. Users are warned that, as the requirements of the two
levels are often specified in the same clause, vigilance is required to identify the testing requirements and the range of qualification for the particular
welding procedure test level.
What happens to previous welding procedure qualifications?

The validity of previous welding procedure qualifications is addressed in different Sections of ISO 15614-1:2017, as follows:

Introduction: All new welding procedure tests are to be carried out in accordance with this document from the date of its issue. However, this

document does not invalidate previous welding procedure tests made to former national standards or specifications or previous issues of this

document

Section 1: Specification and qualification of welding procedures that were made in accordance with previous editions of this document may be used

for any application for which the current edition is specified. In this case, the ranges of qualification of previous editions remain applicable

Section 1: It is also possible to create a new welding procedure qualification record (WPQR) range of qualification according to this edition based on

the existing qualified WPQR, provided the technical intent of the testing requirements of this document has been satisfied. Where additional tests

have to be carried out to make the qualification technically equivalent, it is only necessary to perform the additional test on a test piece
In other words:

Previous welding procedure qualifications remain valid and the ranges of qualification stay the same, even when ISO 15614-1:2017 applies.

Nevertheless, when contracts make reference to ISO 15614-1:2017 and a manufacturer wishes to apply an existing WPQR, the authors recommend

that manufacturers integrate the existing WPQR with an alignment sheet, showing the new ranges of qualification according to ISO 15614-1:2017.
Main technical changes and their background

A description of the main technical changes is given in the table below. This also includes an explanation of the rationale behind the changes and how
these affect existing and future welding procedure qualifications.

The table focuses on the difference between Level 2 requirements and the corresponding requirements in the previous edition of ISO 15614-1. Level 1
requirements, based on ASME IX, are not discussed.
IMPORTANT: the table is limited to the most significant changes, in the authors opinion, between ISO 15614-1:2017 (Level 2) and the previous edition.

It includes brief descriptions of variables and clauses and it cannot substitute the standard. Users must consult the standard when its application is
required.

Comparison between ISO 15614-1: 2004+A2:2012

and ISO 15614-1:2017 (Level 2).

ISO
ISO 15614-1: Reason for change and main
15614-
2004+A2:2012 consequences
1:2017
Clause/table (ISO 15614:2017): 1 Introduction

Two welding Two levels of welding procedure tests are

procedure specified in order to make ISO 15614-1
test levels: applicable to a wider range of applications
In the absence of specific requirements, Level 2
Level 1: applies
One qualification based on Existing WPQRs and qualification ranges remain
procedure defined ASME IX valid
New WPQRs according to ISO 15614-1:2017
Level 2: can be issued, based on existing WPQRs
based on provided the technical intent of the testing
previous ISO requirements of ISO 15614-1:2017 has been
15614-1 satisfied
Annexes

Relationship
with the Level 1 does not provide presumption of
Pressure conformity with the Essential Safety
Equipment Requirements of the PED.
Relationship with
Directive ISO 15614:2017 has yet to be published in the
the Pressure
(PED) in official journal of the EU as harmonised
Equipment
Annex ZA. standard to the PED.
Directive (PED) in
Level 2 only In the absence of specific requirements, the
Annex ZA
is permitted authors recommend to apply Level 2, when
for compliance with the PED is required.
compliance
with the PED.
Destructive and non-destructive testing

Reason for
ISO 15614-1:
ISO 15614-1:2017 change and main
2004+A2:2012
consequences
Table 2 Examination and testing requirements

Test requirements for Level Test requirements in

See Table 1
2 in Table 2. previous and in the

Note d - 'need not be lower
Figure 5 Location of test specimens in butt joints in plate
Location of test specimens in
Figure 5 (welding direction top-
bottom of page, see below).
These are essentially current version of
identical to the previous ISO 15614 (Level2)
edition (notes have been are more stringent
revised for clarity). than Level 1.
than the parent metal
specification' has been
deleted'.
Macro and hardness
test specimen is now
near the start of the
The welding direction is
weld. This was
now from the bottom to the
located near the end
top of page, but the
of the weld in the
specimen location is the
previous edition of
same. So, the location of
ISO 15614-1.
test specimen with regard
Due to the heat
to the start and end of the
building up during
weld has changed (see
welding, hardness
below).
values may be higher
at the start of the
weld, compared to
 the end of the weld,
for the same welding
parameters. This
effect has not been
quantified.
So, the start of the
weld represent a
worst case for
hardness (ie highest
hardness).
Procedure
qualifications to the
current ISO 15614-1
Key may result in higher
Key
1. Discard 25mm hardness values.
1. Discard 25mm
2. Welding Direction Close monitoring of
2. Welding Direction
3. Area for: the heating cycle is
3. Area for:
1 tensile test specimen; recommended
1 tensile test specimen;
bend test specimens. (preheat, heat input),
bend test specimens.
4. Area for: especially when
4. Area for:
impact and additional test borderline hardness
impact and additional test
specimens if required values are expected.
specimens if required
5. Area for: 5. Area for:
1 tensile test specimen; 1 tensile test specimen;
 bend test specimens.
6. Area for:
1 macro test specimen;
1 hardness test specimen.
NOTE: not to scale.
Figure 6 Location of test specimens in butt joints in pipe
No welding direction shown.
So, specimen locations around
the pipe circumference are the
same, regardless of the
welding progression (vertical-
up or down)
bend test specimens.
6. Area for:
1 macro test specimen;
1 hardness test specimen.
NOTE: not to scale.
Figure 6 split into two
diagrams for vertical-up
and vertical-down
progressions, with
specimens in different
locations around the pipe
circumference.
NOTE: for the vertical- o When welding in the
down progression (right-
hand side) the location of
area 5 (start of weld, macro
and hardness) in the
diagram for the vertical-
down progression seems to
indicate that the start of
weld should be at 3 oclock o
position. Also, the location
Takes into account
the effects of welding
progression on the
properties of different
areas around the
weld.
For example:
vertical-up position,
the worst case area
for hardness (lowest
heat input, highest
hardness), is
expected to be in the
6 oclock position.
When welding in the
vertical-down

Table 3 Permitted maximum hardness values
For material groups 4,5 (heat
treated): Max 320 HV10
of area 1 (end of weld),
seems to indicate that the
weld ends at the 12 oclock
position. It is the opinion of
the authors that this is an
error and that a Key
specific for the vertical-
down progression diagram
should be added.
For material groups 4,5
(heat treated): Max 350
HV10.
New note c: for certain
materials in Groups 4,5,
higher values may be
accepted, if specified before
the welding procedure test.
position, the worst
case area for
hardness, is expected
to be in the 3 oclock
position.
Specimen shall be
extracted from
different locations,
depending on the
welding progression
Group 4 includes Low
vanadium alloyed Cr-
Mo-(Ni) steels with
Mo 0,7 % and V
0,1 % (eg 0.5Mo
steel)
Group 5 Cr-Mo steels
free of vanadium with
C 0,35 % (eg
1.25Cr -0.5Mo,
2.25Cr-1Mo, grade
 91)
The ISO committee
agreed that the
permitted hardness
levels for Groups 4,5
in the previous
edition of ISO 15614-
1 were too stringent
and the consensus
was that Groups 4,5
(heat treated) may
have a higher
hardness level,
without significantly
increasing the risk of
hydrogen cracking.
Footnote c was added
because it was also
considered that, for
these materials,
higher levels may be
acceptable providing
the hardness limit
was specified before
 the welding
procedure test. This
may be useful, for
example, when
Group 4 and 5
materials are used
for their mechanical
strength, rather than
their high
temperature
properties.

7.5 Acceptance levels

Acceptance criteria
Table 4 added to clarify
See clause 7.5 have been made
requirements
clearer
Ranges of qualification

ISO 15614-1: ISO 15614- Reason for change and main

2004+A2:2012 1:2017 consequences

8.2 Manufacturer

Qualification valid Technical and The new wording clarifies that a company
for other quality control can apply another companys WPQR,
workshops under not mentioned. provided that the companies that qualified
the same technical Qualification the WPQR retains complete responsibility for
and quality control valid in all welding
workshops or For example: Company A, who carried out
sites when the the procedure qualification, can pass the
manufacturer WPQR to Company B, provided that
who performed Company A retains complete responsibility
the welding for all welding
procedure test Company A would take a significant risk, as
retains it would be responsible for welding carried
complete out by a different company.
responsibility for
all welding

8.3.1 Parent material grouping

Refers to ISO/TR
15608. Rules to assign parent material grouping
Where materials made clearer
Refers to CR ISO are assigned to ISO/TR 20172, ISO/TR 20173 or ISO/TR
15608 groups by 20174 are very useful documents to assign
ISO/TR 20172, groups to EN, American and Japanese
ISO/TR 20173 or materials
ISO/TR 20174,
 those
assignments
shall be used.
Separate
qualifications
required for
materials not
covered by
standards above

Table 5 Range of qualification for steel groups and subgroups

Table 3 has very Table 5 is much

Table 5 is now easier to use, especially for
few dissimilar more
dissimilar metal welds
combinations comprehensive

Table 5 Range of qualification for steel groups and subgroups

For Group 11 For Group 11, Group 11 covers ASTM/ASME carbon steels,
(mainly note a applies, for which the specified maximum carbon
ASTM/ASME ie equal or lower content (up to 0.30%) is typically greater
materials), note b specified than for EN or ISO steels
applies, ie steels in minimum yield Group 11 steels represent a worse case in
the same sub- strength steels terms of weldability (potentially higher
group and any (independent of carbon), compared to EN or ISO steels with
lower sub-group the material the same or lower specified yield strength
within the same thickness) are The previous standard was considered
group lower sub- qualified unnecessarily restrictive, as Group 11
groups are materials only qualified Group 11
qualified Group 11 material now cover Group 1 with
the same or lower specified minimum yield
strength

Table 6 Range of qualification for nickel alloys groups and subgroups

Table 6 is much
more
comprehensive
Table 4 has very Dissimilar
Table 6 is now easier to use, especially for
few dissimilar combinations for
dissimilar metal welds
combinations groups 8-4X and
11-4X
introduced

Table 7 Material and weld deposit thickness (butt welds)

Table 5 has the Separate Weld metal thickness and material thickness
same ranges for qualification are treated separately to improve clarity
weld deposit ranges for levels Users should be aware of the new thickness
thickness material 1 and 2 of test piece ranges and the new
thickness qualification ranges.
Table 7
essentially
similar to
previous Table
5, except:
Deposited weld
metal thickness
(s) and material
thickness (t)
treated
separately
Ranges for
thickness of test
piece have
changed
o No minimum
thickness for
deposit
thickness
o 0.5t 2t for
material
 thickness < 3
o When s(test) >
20, new rules for
s(max)
o t(test) ranges
20-40, 40-100,
100-150,
>150mm
o S(max) =
1.33s(test) if t
150

Table 8 Material and throat thickness for fillet welds

Table 6: As 3mm is the minimum material thickness

3<t<30mm range Table 8 : then changed from 0.5t(3 min) 2t to 3-2t
= 0.5t(3 min) 2t 3<t<30mm The standard committee considered that
t 30 : single run range = 3-2t there should be a range of qualification for
throat no range Single run throat the throat thickness and not restricted, as
(each throat depth range is 0.75a previously, to the throat thickness used in
to be qualified 1.5a the test piece.
separately)

Table 9 Pipe and branch connections diameter

 Table 7 :
The committee considered the previous
For D 25 range
Range is 0.5D ranges to be too restrictive, so a range of
is 0.5D 2D
for all diameters 0.5D for all diameters was agreed.
For D > 25 range
is 0.5D (25 min)

8.4.1 Welding processes

When the test

piece is welded
with more than
one welding
For multi-process welds, the test specimen
process;
must now include deposited metal from each
For multi-run o The procedure is
welding process. This was not explicitly
welds, no valid only for the
required in the previous edition.
requirement to test sequence of
weld metal processes used
deposited from on the test
each welding piece.
For multi-process qualification (eg
process o Test specimens
TIG+MMA), either of the processes can be
shall include
used to deposit a backing run
deposited
material from
each welding
process used.
 Addition: back
run is permitted
using one of the
welding
processes used
in the
qualification.

8.4.2 Welding positions

The wording has There has been much discussion on the

been revised, clause and the wording was revised to make
the principles it clearer. The principles are largely the same
are the same but;
apart from; In case of fixed pipe, it is not necessary to
two test pieces weld two test pieces since, for example, the
are required hardness can be taken from the overhead
8.4.2
except in the position (PE) and the impact from the
case of when a horizontal (PC) position - see Fig 6
fixed pipe is The UK specifically asked for the following to
used for the be included 'Vertical down welding (welding
qualification. positions PG, PJ and J-L045) shall be
More examples qualified by a specific test' which was
of high and low agreed.
 heat input The Note was added to help the user to
positions understand which are the highest and lowest
provided in a heat input positions.
NOTE The use of and in the note, for example PF
and PA for high heat input position, may be
misleading. Users may believe that two test
pieces, one in PA and one in PF position, are
required to test the high heat input. The
intent of this note is that only one position
per heat input level is required.
IMPORTANT: notes are included in standards
to give examples and help the users. A note
cannot include requirements. The positions
specified in the note are for example only.
The user may apply positions other than
those indicated in the note.

8.4.3 Type of weld / joint

New clauses: (i) and (k) were agreed by the committee

Weld made from and cover conditions that were not explicitly
8.4.3 both sides addressed in the previous edition
qualifies welds (j): a change from single to multi-run, and
made from one vice-versa, is expected to affect hardness
 side with and toughness in the HAZ and weld metal. If
backing hardness and toughness are not to be
Build-up tested, this change should not apply.
qualified by butt (h) is not permitted when thermal gouging
weld (arc air, plasma) is used to remove the weld
Buttering shall root, because this is a thermal process and it
be performed by affects the mechanical properties of the
a separate test joint.
piece in
combination with
the butt weld (to
allow mechanical
testing).
Modified clause
(new text in
Italic):
When impact or
hardness
requirements
apply, it is not
permitted to
change a multi-
run deposit into
a single run
 deposit (or
single run on
each side) or
vice versa for a
given process

8.4.4 Filler materials

Covered by one
Covered by clause (8.4.4)
separate clauses Process 137 is
8.4.4 (designation) replaced by
and 8.4.5 (make) process 132
8.4.5: filler metals Restrictions on Process 137 has been replaced by process
restricted to the filler metals for 132 in the latest version of ISO 4063
specific make for fluxed The requirement for testing at -20C is only
fluxed processes processes mandatory if required by the Application
111 (MMA), 114 (manual metal Standard
(self-shielded), 12 arc, SAW,
(SAW), 136 (FCAW FCAW) if impact
inter gas) and 132 testing is
(FCAW active gas) required at
temperatures
less than -20C
 8.4.7 Heat input (arc energy)

8.4.7: Reference to ISO/TR 18491 to take modern

User can use power sources into account
either heat input The traditional formula for heat input/arc
or arc energy for energy in EN 1011-1 is inadequate when
welding control, pulsed welding (eg P-GTAW or p-GMAW) or
to be calculated power sources with complex waveforms are
8.4.8:
in accordance used (eg Lincoln STT, Fronius CMT, ESAB
heat input only to
with ISO/TR Superpulse, Kemppi WISEROOT etc)
be recorded
18491 Using the traditional formula and average
25% qualified
the calculation values for A and V has been proven to be
range, depending
(either heat inaccurate. Also, average A and V cannot be
on testing
input or arc readily determined, when a complex
requirements
energy) shall be waveform is applied.
Heat input
documented ISO/TR User can report heat input or arc
calculation
25% qualified energy, to be calculated according to
according to EN
range stays the ISO/TR 18491
1011-1
same (+25% provides separate rules to calculate heat
when there input/arc energy for waveform controlled
impact and non-waveform controlled processes
requirements These are identical to the rules introduced in
apply and -25% ASME IX since 2010
when hardness User should familiarise with ISO/TR 18491
 requirements
apply)
For tack welding
heat input need
not be verified
but adjustable
parameters
(amps/volts)
should be
checked

8.4.8 Preheat temperature

The preheat Preheat temperature reduction similar to

temperature can ASME IX, which permits a 55C reduction .
be reduced by A reduction of 50C is permitted, rather than
8.4.9:
no more than 55C, to prevent level from being less
The minimum
50C from the stringent than ASME IX
qualified preheat
recorded It is permissible to reduce the preheat
temperature is that
preheat temperature from the recorded preheat
recorded in the
temperature on temperature on the WPQR but by no more
test (applied at the
the WPQR than 50C and only if ISO/TR 17671-2 is
start of the test)
otherwise satisfied
requalification is This does not mean that preheat should be
required reduced for production welding. ISO/TR
 A decrease in 17671-2 should be applied to determine the
the preheat required level of preheat for production
temperature is welding.
only permitted if Also, a decrease in preheat temperature may
ISO/TR 17671-1 not be permitted by the applicable
2 is satisfied construction code, if any.

8.4.9 Interpass temperature

An increase in
the maximum
interpass IP temperature increase similar to ASME IX,
temperature of which permits a 55C increase .
more than 50C An increase of 50C is permitted, rather than
8.4.10: shall require re- 55C, to prevent level 2 from being less
Upper limit for the qualification stringent than ASME IX
interpass For Groups 8, Increase not permitted for austenitic
temperature (IP) is 10, 41-48, there materials (groups 8, 41-48) and duplex
that recorded in is no change, as stainless steels (group 10), as this may
test. the maximum adversely affect properties such as
interpass toughness, phase balance and corrosion
temperature (IP) resistance
is that recorded
in the welding
procedure test.
8.4.11 Heat treatment

No changes from
previous
standard
regarding
temperature
range validated
and heating
rates etc.
8.4.12:
Introduction of Introduction of four groups of PWHT in line
PWHT temperature
four PWHT with ASME IX (see QW-407.1)
range validated is
conditions which Major change is the introduction of four
the holding
will require a types of PWHT for ISO/TR 15608 material
temperature
separate groups 1-7, 9-11
recorded in the
procedure
test 20C
qualification
For material
groups 1-7, 9-11
the following
conditions apply:
- Stress relief
(below lower
transformation
 temperature),
- normalizing
(above upper
transformation
temperature),
- normalising
followed by
Q&T,
- PWHT between
lower and upper
transformation
temperatures.
PWHT
temperature
range validated
is still the
holding
temperature
recorded in the
test 20C
For all other
groups PWHT
shall be within a
specified
 temperature
range.

8.5.1 Submerged arc welding

8.5.1(a) Each
process 12
variant (121 to
126) shall be
Clause revised to improve clarity and
qualified
address some frequently asked questions
8.5.1: independently.
from users (eg on multi-wire, hot/cold wire
8.5.1.1 Each The introduction
etc)
process variant of process
Clause on re-crushed slag added in line with
shall be qualified variant such as
ASME IX (QW-404.36)
independently multi-wire,
Limiting the range of qualification to the
addition of hot
Trade Name used in the test is an additional
8.5.1.2 Range is or cold wire, etc
restriction.
limited to make will require
It should be noted, when using re-crushed
and designation of requalification
slag a new batch or blend of crushed slag
the flux 8.5.1(b) Range
requires a new qualification test.
is limited to the
manufacturer,
trade name and
designation of
the flux
 8.5.1(c) New
clause added to
cover the use of
re-crushed slag

8.5.2.1 Gas-shielded metal arc welding (Shielding gases)

The previous wording (shall not exceed

10%) was unclear and numerous enquiries
were being submitted
For example, if an increase of 10% is
Maximum
permitted, does a gas mixture 80% Ar 20%
permissible
CO2 cover:
deviation for the
o Up to 22% CO2, calculated as [20 + (10% of
8.5.2: CO2 content has
20)]
Increase of 10% of now been
or
CO2 content clarified as a
o Up to 30% CO2, calculated as (20%+10%)
permitted for relative
According to ISO 15614-1:2017, for the
shielding gas deviation of
example above, relative deviation of 20%
20% of CO2
means that a gas mixture 80% Ar 20% CO2
from nominal
covers:
composition
o Minimum 16% CO2, calculated as [20 -
(20% of 20)]
o Maximum 24% CO2, calculated as [20 +
(20% of 20)]
8.5.2.3 Gas-shielded metal arc welding (Transfer mode)

New clause on
Transfer Mode
8.5.2.3.1 The
range of
qualification for
the various
Spray or globular
transfer modes Range of qualification now covers the pulsed
transfer modes
including the transfer mode and the newer waveform-
qualify spray and
pulsed mode eg controlled power sources
globular
qualification
using spray,
pulsed or
globular qualifies
spray, pulsed
and globular

New clauses on In practice:

waveform If a power source with a complex waveform
No reference to controlled is used (eg Lincoln STT, Fronius CMT, ESAB
waveform welding: Superpulse, Kemppi WISEROOT, EWM
controlled welding 8.5.2.3.2 forceArc etc), the power source
Waveform- manufacturer and the waveform mode must
controlled be recorded in the WPQR and cannot be
 welding: the changed. For example, a qualification with
power source Lincoln STT only covers Lincoln STT.
manufacturer If conventional pulsed welding is applied
and waveform (no complex waveform), the power source
control mode are manufacturer and the pulse parameters
essential must be recorded in the WPQR. The power
variables source manufacturer can be changed without
8.5.2.3.2 requalification. NOTE: all other variables
Welding with must be within the qualified range. So, one
pulsed mode can change the power source BUT the
and without pulsing parameters must be such that the
waveform- qualified heat input limits are not exceeded.
control: the For standard welding (no complex
power source waveform or pulsing): the power source
manufacturer manufacturer shall be recorded in the WPQR,
and other but it can be changed without requalification.
pertinent
information shall
be recorded, but
a change does
not require
requalification
8.5.2.3.2 Non
waveform-
 control welding:
the power
source
manufacturer
shall be
recorded, but a
change does not
require
requalification

8.5.3.1 TIG welding, shielding gases

Shielding gas
mixture limited
to the nominal
8.5.3: composition or
Shielding gas symbol of the
mixture limited to gas. See 8.5.2.1 for explanation of relative
symbol of the gas A relative deviation
or nominal deviation of
composition max 10% from
the nominal He
content is
permitted
 8.5.4 Plasma arc welding

A change in the
type of joint
8.5.4:
preparation Clause on joint type added in line with ASME
No reference to
(groove) IX (QW-257 and QW-402.1)
joint type
requires a re-
qualification.

8.5.6 Backing gas, all processes

New clause on
Backing Gases
8.5.3:
which covers the
Backing gas rules
Material Groups
apply to process
Backing gas
14 only
rules apply to all
8.5.3.2 A weld
processes The rules on backing gas have been
procedure test
No backing gas improved following feedback from users
made without a
qualifies backing
backing gas
with I and N1-
qualifies a welding
N3 to ISO 14175
procedure with
(not vice versa)
backing gas.
Main group to
ISO 14175
 covers all sub-
groups within
the same group
Material groups
1-6 Gas
groups I and N1,
N2, N3 are
interchangeable
Material groups
7 and 10 Any
change in
backing gas
classification
requires
requalification
Material groups
8, 41-48 Gas
groups I, N, R
are
interchangeable
Backing gas can
be omitted when
5mm thick
material backing
 is used

Annex A

New Annex but

Not present not relevant for
Level 2
Authors

Andy Brightmore (TWI) Software Business Development ( http://www.twisoftware.com/ ).

Marcello Consonni (TWI) - Member of ISO subcommittee ISO /TC 44/SC 10 Quality management in the field of welding, UK national committee WEE/36
Qualification of welding personnel and welding procedures and contributing member of ASME BPVC Section IX committee.

Professor Bill Lucas UK delegate on ISO subcommittee ISO /TC 44/SC 10 Quality management in the field of welding, national committee WEE/36
Qualification of welding personnel and welding procedures.

Last reviewed: September 2017