Section 6 Qualification of friction stir welding of aluminium alloys
Clasification Society 2024 - Version 9.40
Clasifications Register Rules and Regulations - Rules for the Manufacture, Testing and Certification of Materials, July 2022 - Chapter 12 Welding Qualifications - Section 6 Qualification of friction stir welding of aluminium alloys

Section 6 Qualification of friction stir welding of aluminium alloys

Parent topic: Chapter 12 Welding Qualifications

6.1 Scope

6.1.1 The requirements of this Section relate to the Friction Stir Welding (FSW) of aluminium alloys. These requirements include requirements for verification of welding equipment, welding procedures, qualification of welding procedures and qualification of welding operators.

6.2 Welding equipment

6.2.1 Welding equipment (e.g. welding machines and FSW tools) is to be capable of producing welds that meet the specified acceptance levels.

6.2.2 Welding equipment is to be maintained in a good condition and is to be repaired or adjusted when necessary.

6.2.3 After installation of new or refurbished equipment, appropriate tests are to be performed to verify that the equipment functions correctly.

6.3 Weld procedures

6.3.1 This Section defines the requirements for welding procedures to be applied for FSW of aluminium alloys.

6.3.2 Manufacturers are to prepare a preliminary welding procedure specification (pWPS) defining procedures for how FSW is to be conducted.

6.3.3 A pWPS is to comply with the requirements of ISO 25239-4.

6.3.4 Qualification of a pWPS is achieved by conducting weld procedure qualification tests in accordance with ISO 25239-4. Minimum acceptance criteria for destructive tests are to be in accordance with these Rules. Reporting of the qualification tests are to be in accordance with ISO 25239-4.

6.3.5 Provided that the procedure qualification record lists all the relevant variables and there are no inconsistent features and the results satisfy the requirements, the procedure qualification record may be endorsed by the Surveyor as satisfying the requirement of the Rules.

6.3.6 A welding procedure specification (WPS) is to be prepared after the procedure qualification test report has been endorsed by the Surveyor.

6.3.7 For welding procedure specifications, the range of approval is to be limited as follows:

  1. Manufacturer. A welding procedure qualified by a manufacturer is valid for welding in workshops under the same technical and quality management.

  2. Range of material type. Approval is restricted to the specific aluminium grade and supply condition used in the qualification test.

  3. Thickness. Approval is restricted to the thickness of the test piece in the qualification test.

  4. Joint types. The joint types approved are to be those from the welding procedure qualification test only.

  5. Welding tool. Approval is restricted to the specific design of welding tool employed during the qualification test.

  6. Other. A range of approval for any other variables will be subject to special consideration.

6.4 Qualification of welding operators

6.4.1 Welding operators are to be qualified in accordance with ISO 25239-3.

6.4.2 Weldeing operators are to be suitably trained and will be required to demonstrate a knowledge of FSW and have a working knowledge of the welding installation. Knowledge of the FSW process may be demonstrated by exams passed during the training period. Demonstration of a working knowledge of the welding installation will be subject to the Surveyor’s satisfaction.

6.4.3 Qualification of welding operators is to be by welding tests as specified in ISO 25239-3 or by conducting weld procedure qualification tests.

6.4.4 Upon successful completion of all necessary examination and tests, the welding operator is to be considered qualified. The range of qualification is to be as specified in ISO 25239-3.

6.4.5 A certificate of qualification is to be issued in accordance with ISO 25239-3.

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