Overview
EN ISO 15614-6:2006 (ISO 15614-6:2006) - Specification and qualification of welding procedures for metallic materials - Part 6 covers the welding procedure test for arc and gas welding of copper and its alloys. The standard specifies how a preliminary welding procedure specification (pWPS) is qualified by welding procedure tests, defines conditions for executing those tests, and establishes the range of qualification for welding procedures in all product forms of copper and copper alloys.
Key topics
- Scope and purpose: Qualification method for new welding procedures for copper and copper alloys; applicable to arc and gas welding processes.
- Welding processes covered: Manual metal arc (111), MIG/MAG (131) and other arc/gas processes listed in ISO 4063.
- Preliminary WPS (pWPS): Requirements for preparing a pWPS prior to testing and qualification.
- Welding procedure test: Test-piece design, welding of test pieces and execution conditions required to qualify a pWPS.
- Examination and testing: Non‑destructive testing (visual, radiographic, penetrant), destructive testing (tensile, bend, fracture, macro/microscopic) and acceptance levels.
- Range of qualification: Variables and limits (materials, thicknesses, positions, processes) that determine how broadly a qualified procedure may be applied.
- Documentation: Preparation of a Welding Procedure Qualification Record (WPQR); Annex A provides a WPQR form.
- Regulatory context: Adopted as a CEN/EN standard and includes informative Annex ZA relating to EU Directives (essential requirements).
Applications
- Qualifying welding procedures for fabrications and assemblies made from copper and copper alloys in industries such as plumbing, heat exchangers, electrical components, HVAC, and marine systems.
- Establishing controlled, auditable welding methods for manufacture, procurement and certification of welded copper products.
- Ensuring compliance with customer specifications, regulatory requirements and quality management systems where welding procedure qualification is required.
Who should use it
- Welding engineers and procedure developers
- Quality managers and NDT inspectors
- Fabricators and contract manufacturers working with copper alloys
- Certification bodies and welding coordinators implementing WPQR/pWPS workflows
Related standards
Using EN ISO 15614-6:2006 helps organisations create robust, traceable welding qualifications for copper materials - improving product reliability and compliance in applications where copper welding performance is critical.
