Overview - ISO 14922:2021 (Thermal spraying quality requirements)
ISO 14922:2021 specifies quality requirements for manufacturers of thermal sprayed coatings to ensure consistent, auditable production and process control across the full coating route. Applicable to workshop and on‑site work, this standard covers pre‑ and post‑treatments, production for new parts, repairs and maintenance. ISO 14922 is independent of company‑level management systems (e.g., ISO 9001) and focuses specifically on manufacturing‑route quality assurance for thermal spraying.
Key technical topics and requirements
- Quality requirement classes (QRC1, QRC2, QRC3) - classification of coatings by their importance to component function and safety:
- QRC1: coating critical to component function
- QRC2: coating supports function; impairment leads to reduced performance but limited safe service
- QRC3: coating not essential to component function
- Quality assurance levels (QAL‑C, QAL‑S, QAL‑E) - three selectable levels (Comprehensive, Standard, Elementary) that define the required depth of factory controls and tests, chosen according to the QRC.
- Manufacturer requirements - planned manufacturing, process control, testing and documentation to avoid rework and ensure timely delivery; Annexes B and C list detailed elements and measures for each QAL.
- Personnel and roles - emphasis on qualified personnel (thermal sprayers, coordinators) and clear responsibilities (see ISO 14918, ISO 12690 references).
- Factory quality control (FQC) and audits - internal or external audits to verify the functioning of the quality assurance system and continued adherence to the QAL.
- Thermal Spray Procedure Specification (TSPS) - documented spraying instructions, including parameters and pre/post treatments, that govern production for each job.
Practical applications - who uses ISO 14922
- Coating manufacturers and production managers - to define and implement manufacturing route controls and audit criteria.
- Design engineers and procuring customers - to specify required QRC and QAL in contracts and drawings.
- Quality assurance and compliance teams - for supplier qualification, factory audits and acceptance criteria.
- Maintenance and repair organizations (workshop or on‑site) - to ensure repair coatings meet agreed assurance levels.
- Industries where thermal sprayed coatings are critical: aerospace, stationary gas turbines, automotive, machinery, chemical processing, oil & gas, medical devices, steel construction, offshore/onshore structures, printing and electrical applications.
Related standards and references
ISO 14922 refers to and complements other standards for thermal spraying and personnel qualification:
- ISO 14917 (terminology), ISO 14918 (qualification testing of thermal sprayers)
- ISO 12690 (thermal spray coordination)
- ISO 14923 (characterization and testing of coatings)
- ISO 9712 (NDT personnel qualification), EN 1395‑1 (equipment acceptance inspection)
Using ISO 14922:2021 helps organizations implement targeted, industry‑aligned quality assurance for thermal sprayed coatings, reduce service failures and provide clear contractual quality levels between customers and coating suppliers.
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