International Welding System Certification: The global standard for ensuring welding quality

Welding,as a special manufacturing process,plays a crucial role in the manufacturing industry.Whether it is automobile manufacturing,aerospace,petrochemical,or construction and bridge construction,welding technology is everywhere.However,the welding process involves various factors,such as base material,filler metal,and welding operation procedures,which directly determine the quality and safety of the welded joint.In order to ensure welding quality and safety,international welding system certification was born,providing manufacturers with a way to showcase their ability to manufacture specific quality products.This article will provide a detailed introduction to the types,standards,and certification process of international welding system certification,and explore its importance and impact on enterprises.

1.Types of International Welding System Certification

The main types of international welding system certification include AWS(American Welding Society),ASME(American Society of Mechanical Engineers),and ISO 3834.

AWS Certification

AWS is the world's leading organization in the welding industry,and the welding process certification it provides is widely recognized.The AWS certification system is divided into two levels,AWS B6.18 and AWS B6.25,which are respectively targeted at pressure vessel and pipeline welding.Welding processes that have passed AWS certification must undergo rigorous review and inspection according to specific procedures to ensure welding quality and safety.

2.ASME Certification

ASME is a well-known international standard-setting organization that provides welding procedure certification widely used in the oil,chemical,and power industries,among others.The welding procedures certified by ASME must comply with standards such as ASME B16.20 and ASME B16.33,and must undergo rigorous review and testing.These standards cover requirements for base material,filler metal,and welding procedures,among other things,to ensure the quality and reliability of welded joints.

3.ISO 3834 Certification

ISO 3834 is an international standard for welding system certification established by the International Organization for Standardization(ISO)to regulate the quality and safety of metal material fusion welding.The ISO 3834 series of standards includes five parts,namely ISO 3834-1(selection criteria for choosing the quality requirement grade),ISO 3834-2(complete quality requirements),ISO 3834-3(general quality requirements),ISO 3834-4(basic quality requirements),and ISO 3834-5(the documents required to meet the quality requirements of each part).Among them,ISO 3834-2 is the highest level of quality requirement standard and is suitable for occasions where welding quality has strict requirements,such as pressure vessels,bridges,and critical structures in aerospace and other industries.

Two,International Standards for Welding System Certification

The standards for international welding system certification vary from country to country and organization,but in general they cover all aspects of the welding process,including the base material,filler metal,welding operation procedures,personnel qualifications,equipment management,inspection and testing,etc.

AWS B6.18 Standard

AWS B6.18 is a standard set by the American Welding Society for pressure vessel welding.It specifies the acceptance criteria and procedures for pressure vessel welding.The standard covers requirements for base material,filler metal,and welding procedures,ensuring the quality and safety of welded joints.

2.ASME B16.20 Standard

ASME B16.20 is a standard set by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers for pipe welding,which specifies the acceptance criteria and procedures for pipe welding.The standard also covers requirements for base material,filler metal,and welding procedures to ensure the quality and reliability of welded joints.

3.ISO 3834-2 standard

ISO 3834-2 is a European standard for metal materials welding,which specifies the quality and safety requirements for metal materials welding.This standard covers requirements for base material,filler metal,welding operation procedures,personnel qualifications,equipment management,inspection and testing,etc.,to ensure the quality and reliability of welded joints.ISO 3834-2 standard imposes comprehensive and strict requirements on all aspects of the welding process,and is suitable for applications where welding quality has strict requirements

III.The Process of International Welding System Certification

The process of international welding system certification varies from country to country and organization,but generally includes submitting an application,determining the certification level,standard learning and team establishment,personnel qualification determination,document completion and correction,project determination and improvement evaluation,process qualification witnessing,personnel qualification witnessing,document and qualification review,on-site inspection,and obtaining a certificate.

1.Submit an application.

A company submits an application for international welding system certification to an accreditation body,providing relevant information such as company basic information,product information,and welding processes.

2.Determine the certification level

The certification authority,based on the information provided by the enterprise and the product standards,specifications,contracts,etc.,determines the appropriate international welding system certification level(such as ISO 38

3.Standardized Learning and Team Establishment

The enterprise organizes relevant personnel to study international welding system certification standards,clarifies the certification requirements and responsibilities,and establishes a certification team for the enterprise.

4.Personnel Qualification Determination

Determine the qualification requirements for welding personnel,welding coordinators,inspectors,and test personnel based on the certification level to ensure that they have the necessary skills and qualifications.For example,welders should hold welding certification that meets the ISO 9606 standard,and welding coordinators should meet the ISO 14731 standard,among others.

5.Completion and correction of records.

Organize and improve the company's welding process documents,quality records,equipment lists,and other related materials,and correct any content that does not meet standard requirements.

6.Project definition and improvement of evaluation

Determine the process qualification projects and welder qualification projects,conduct a preliminary evaluation of the workshop,equipment,and warehouses,and develop improvement plans to meet certification requirements.

7.Witnessing of process qualification

The certification authority will witness the entire welding process qualification test conducted by the enterprise to ensure the authenticity and validity of the process qualification.

8.Personnel Performance Verification

Witness the examination process for welders and welding machine operators to confirm that their operational skills meet the standard requirements.

9.Document and qualification review

Preliminary review and initial review of the type test data,system documents,technical documents,and personnel qualifications of the enterprise before the final review.

10.On-site inspection

The certification authority conducts a comprehensive on-site audit of the welding production site of the enterprise,checking whether the welding equipment,welding process compliance,and quality control measures meet the requirements of the international welding system certification standards.It will propose rectification opinions for the non-compliance items found.

11.Obtain Certificates

The company completes the corrections of non-conformities within the specified time and obtains the international welding system certification certificate after being confirmed by the certification body.

Four,the Importance and Impact of International Welding System Certification

International welding system certification is of great significance to enterprises,not only helping to improve welding quality and safety,but also enhancing their competitiveness and management level.

1.Improve welding quality and safety.

The International Welding System Certification ensures the quality of welded joints meets design requirements and relevant standards by strictly regulating and controlling the entire welding process.It also reduces the probability of welding defects and improves the reliability and safety of welded products.

2.Enhance the competitiveness of the enterprise.

In the international market,many large projects and high-end clients require suppliers to have international welding system certification.Obtaining this certification can enable companies to stand out in market competition and make it easier to win high-quality overseas orders,expanding their international market share.

3.Enhance corporate management level.

The international welding system certification encourages companies to establish a comprehensive welding quality management system,standardize welding production processes,improve the professional level of welding managers and technicians,and thus overall enhance the company's welding management capability and production efficiency.

4.Easy to trace the quality of products.

The international welding system certification requires companies to establish a detailed documentation and identification management system that can trace information on welding materials,welding processes,and welding personnel.Once a quality issue arises,it can quickly and accurately identify the root cause and take effective corrective actions.

Conclusion

International welding system certification is an important means to ensure welding quality and safety,and it has significant implications for enhancing the competitiveness and management level of enterprises.Enterprises should actively apply for international welding system certification and carry out welding production and management in accordance with the requirements of the certification standards to ensure the quality and reliability of welded joints.Meanwhile,the government and relevant institutions should also strengthen the promotion and publicity of international welding system certification to improve the welding quality and safety level of the entire industry.