Overview
ISO 15613:2025 - Specification and qualification of welding procedures for metallic materials - defines how a preliminary welding procedure specification (DMOS‑P) is qualified using a pre‑production welding test (an assembly welded to simulate production). The standard applies to a wide range of processes, including arc welding, gas welding, beam welding, resistance welding, stud welding and friction welding, and sets out how qualification assemblies, testing, examination and the resulting qualification record (PV‑QMOS) are to be handled.
Key topics and requirements
- Scope of qualification: Qualification is based on one or more pre‑production assemblies designed to reproduce essential characteristics of the real production weld - e.g., dimensions, fixturing, thermal dissipation, accessibility and welding positions.
- Preliminary welding procedure specification (DMOS‑P): A DMOS‑P must be prepared in accordance with the appropriate ISO 15609 part for the welding process (see Related Standards).
- Who performs qualification: An authorised examiner or examination body must carry out qualification in line with the applicable ISO 15614 part for the welding process (see Table mapping in the standard).
- Controls, examination and testing: Where technically possible, tests and inspections of qualification assemblies follow the relevant ISO 15614 parts (for fusion welding) or ISO 15614‑12 / 15614‑13 (for resistance welding). When ISO 15614‑1 is used, level 2 is the default examination level unless otherwise specified.
- Use of real components and production tooling: Qualification assemblies should use actual production components, fixtures and jigs where practicable. Tack welds present in production should be included in the qualification assembly.
- Range and validity: The qualification is limited to the specific assembly type used for the pre‑production test. Thickness limits apply to each component and to weld thickness. For resistance welding, qualification validity is tied to the specific pre‑production assembly and comparable PV‑QMOS records may be considered if equipment, electrodes, materials and parameters are comparable.
- Documentation: The outcome is recorded in a PV‑QMOS (qualification certificate) with defined domain and duration of validity; a qualified WPS remains valid only while production welding falls within that domain.
Applications
ISO 15613:2025 is used to qualify welding procedures when standard test coupons do not represent the complexity of real assemblies. Typical practical applications:
- Qualifying procedures for complex, large or restrained fabrications
- Validating procedures where thermal dissipation, clamping or accessibility significantly influence weld quality
- Ensuring production welding conforms to a qualified DMOS‑P through a documented PV‑QMOS
Who uses this standard
- Welding engineers and procedure writers
- QA/QC and NDT inspectors
- Welding examiners and certification bodies
- Fabricators in sectors requiring documented welding qualification (heavy fabrication, pressure equipment, transportation, energy and specialized manufacturing)
Related standards
Keywords: ISO 15613:2025, welding procedure qualification, pre‑production welding test, DMOS‑P, PV‑QMOS, welding standards, metallic materials.
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