BS EN ISO 25239-3:2020

What is ISO 25239-3 about?

ISO 25239-3 is the third part of a multi-series international standard that covers the friction stir welding of aluminium.

ISO 25239-3 specifies requirements for the qualification of welding operators for friction stir welding (FSW) of aluminium. The term “aluminium” refers to aluminium and its alloys, here. It gives specifications such as terms, definitions, essential variables and ranges of qualification, qualification methods, test welds, and certification for qualification of welding operators.

ISO 25239-3 focuses on the Friction stir welding (FSW) of aluminium because, at the time of publication of this standard, the majority of commercial applications for Friction stir welding (FSW) involved aluminium metal.

Note: ISO 25239-3 does not apply to “operators” as defined in ISO 25239-1 and does not apply to friction stir spot welding which is covered by the ISO 18785 series.

Who is ISO 25239-3 for?

ISO 25239-3 on qualification of welding operators is applicable to entities dealing with:

• Friction stir welding
• Food processing equipment
• Aerospace structures
• Marine vessels
• Railway carriages
• Welder and welding operators

Why should you use ISO 25239-3?

Qualified welding operators must be aware of these requirements to improve the performance of friction stir welding.

ISO 25239-3 gives you the qualification criteria required for a skilled welding operator in order to carry out hassle-free welding operations. It gives you essential variables and ranges of qualification that helps you to ensure that welding operators are eligible to perform their jobs in the most effective way and that appropriate control is exercised over all aspects of the operation. This improves the efficiency of welding operations in industrial operations.

ISO 25239-3 also gives guidelines for qualification methods so that you could carry out the standard welding tests to check and train the welding operators in order to entitle them with the eligibility certificate.

Users of ISO 25239-3 can also check for the certification process and validity period of the qualification of welding operators for friction stir welding. It helps you to improve the overall productivity and reduce any risks while performing friction stir welding processes.

What’s changed since the last update?

BS EN ISO 25239-3:2020 supersedes BS EN ISO 25239-3:2011, which is withdrawn. BS EN ISO 25239-3:2020 includes some technical changes as follows:

• The qualification of the welding operator has been changed for reference to the acceptance levels of ISO 25239-5
• The definitions for testing and acceptance levels of test welds have been updated
• NDT is no longer accepted as an alternative to bend test to qualify welding operator
• The period of welding operator qualification has been extended to three years with possible prolongation for another three years
• Annex A has been reworded to focus on the knowledge of the welding unit and its operation