Overview
EN ISO 15620:2019 - Welding - Friction welding of metallic materials (ISO 15620:2019) specifies requirements for the friction welding of metallic components, with particular emphasis on rotational friction welding. It covers welding knowledge, quality requirements, welding procedure specification (WPS), welding procedure approval (WPQR) and welding personnel qualifications. The standard is intended as a reference for contracts, regulatory compliance (including alignment with the EU Pressure Equipment Directive 2014/68/EU where applicable), and demonstration of a manufacturer's capability to produce welded constructions of specified quality.
Key Topics
- Scope and purpose: Requirements specific to friction welding processes and arrangements; can be adopted in full or partially depending on contract needs.
- Process types: Includes direct-drive rotational and stored-energy (inertia) friction welding and references further friction-based processes.
- Materials and combinations: Guidance on suitable metallic materials and combinations weldable by friction welding (informative annex).
- Friction welding machines: Machine features and requirements for reliable, repeatable welding operations.
- Quality requirements: Pre-welding conditions, component preparation, holding/fixturing, post-weld treatment and quality assurance procedures.
- WPS and WPQR: Content and requirements for a Welding Procedure Specification, approval testing, test specimen requirements, acceptance criteria and WPQR documentation.
- Welding personnel: Roles and competencies for machine operators, setters and supervisory/coordinating personnel.
- Informative annexes: Relationship of parameters, additional friction-based processes, material combination tables, QA guidelines, examination and test methods, WPS/WPQR templates, and characteristics of friction-welded components.
Applications
- Producing high-integrity rotational friction welds in components for automotive, aerospace, pressure equipment, energy and general engineering industries.
- Demonstrating manufacturer capability in contracts, procurement specifications and conformity assessment (e.g., PED-related equipment).
- Developing, documenting and qualifying friction welding procedures and training/testing welding personnel.
- Using as a contractual or normative reference for inspection plans, acceptance testing and supplier qualification.
Who should use this standard
- Welding engineers and metallurgists establishing friction welding processes.
- Quality and inspection personnel preparing acceptance criteria and WPQRs.
- Manufacturers and fabricators producing friction-welded components.
- Procurement, certification bodies and regulators requiring documented welding capability.
Related standards
- ISO welding series and other industry-specific welding standards (see normative references in EN ISO 15620:2019).
- EU Directive 2014/68/EU (PED) - this EN version includes an informative Annex ZA describing the relationship with PED requirements.
Keywords: EN ISO 15620:2019, friction welding, rotational friction welding, WPS, WPQR, welding personnel, quality assurance, friction welding machines, material combinations.
