Overview
EN ISO 14918:2018 - Thermal spraying: Qualification testing of thermal sprayers (ISO 14918:2018) specifies procedural instructions for qualification testing of thermal sprayers. It defines requirements, scope of qualification, test conditions, acceptance criteria and certification procedures for assessing thermal spray performance. The document applies when qualification is required by the standard itself, the purchaser, inspection authorities or other organizations, and covers both manual and mechanized (robotic/scan unit) thermal spraying processes.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Qualification scope and grouping: Defines ranges of qualification by process group, application method and spray material.
- Essential test requirements: Equipment operation, masking procedures, surface preparation and environmental conditions required for valid tests.
- Test methods and acceptance: Practical and job-knowledge tests, specimen shapes/dimensions, required test methods and acceptance requirements for test pieces.
- Examination elements: Job knowledge (written/verbal), practical spraying skills and equipment handling are assessed.
- Re-tests and validity: Rules for re-testing, prolongation/period of validity of qualification and conditions for expired or cancelled status.
- Records and certification: Documentation, record keeping and designation of qualified personnel; includes example certificate format.
- Annexed information: Normative annexes include job-knowledge content, specific acceptance criteria and minimum tensile adhesive/shear values; an informative annex shows a sample qualification certificate.
Practical applications and who uses this standard
- Thermal sprayers / coating technicians seeking qualification or certification of competence.
- Employers and quality managers in surface treatment, corrosion protection, fabrication and coatings shops to set competency and hiring standards.
- Inspection bodies and certification organizations that perform or recognize sprayer qualification tests.
- Purchasers and specifiers (aerospace, automotive, marine, power generation, oil & gas, industrial manufacturing) who require demonstrable operator competence for critical coatings.
- Robotics and automation integrators conducting mechanized thermal spray qualification for automated application systems.
Related standards
- ISO 14916 - Thermal spraying: Determination of tensile adhesive strength.
- ISO 14917 - Thermal spraying: Terminology, classification.
- ISO 2063-2 - Thermal spraying: Zinc, aluminium and their alloys - Part 2: Execution of corrosion protection (normative reference in the standard).
This standard is essential for organizations that need consistent, auditable qualification procedures for thermal sprayers and for ensuring repeatable thermal spray performance across manual and mechanized applications. Keywords: thermal spraying, qualification testing, thermal sprayers, ISO 14918:2018, certification, mechanized spraying, surface treatment.
