Overview
EN ISO 9606-2:2004 - "Qualification test of welders - Fusion welding - Part 2: Aluminium and aluminium alloys" (CEN adoption of ISO 9606-2:2004) specifies uniform requirements for qualifying welders who perform fusion (arc) welding of aluminium and aluminium alloys. The standard provides technical rules for systematic welder qualification that are independent of product type, location or examining body. It covers manual and partly mechanized fusion welding processes and explicitly excludes fully mechanized and automated welding.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope and purpose: Defines the conditions under which a welder is tested and qualified for fusion welding of aluminium and aluminium alloys.
- Essential variables and range of qualification: Addresses variables that affect qualification scope - welding process, product type (plate, pipe), material group, thickness, welding positions, weld details, consumables and dimensions.
- Examination and testing: Specifies supervision, test-piece shapes/dimensions, welding conditions and required destructive and non‑destructive tests (visual, macroscopic, fracture, bend, radiography as referenced).
- Acceptance, re-tests and validity: Sets acceptance criteria for test pieces, rules for re-testing failed candidates, and rules on certificate validity, confirmation and prolongation.
- Certification and designation: Defines the format and content of the welder’s qualification certificate and how qualifications are designated.
- Normative references: Integrates related test standards and terminology (for example, EN 910, EN 970, EN 1320, EN 1321, EN 1435 and ISO standards for processes and positions).
Applications and practical value
- Competency assurance: Used to certify that individual welders can produce acceptable fusion welds in aluminium and aluminium alloys under defined manual or partly mechanized conditions.
- Quality management and procurement: Employers, fabricators and purchasers use the standard to ensure welding personnel meet recognized competence levels for product quality and regulatory compliance.
- Contract and project compliance: Common reference in welding specifications where aluminium structures, piping or components require qualified welders.
- Training and assessment: Basis for practical welder tests at training centres and examining bodies that issue qualification certificates.
Who uses this standard
- Welding coordinators and quality managers
- Certification and examining bodies
- Welding instructors and training centres
- Fabricators and employers working with aluminium and aluminium alloys
- Inspectors and purchasers specifying welder competence
Related standards
Keywords: EN ISO 9606-2:2004, welder qualification, aluminium welding, fusion welding, welding certification, manual welding, partly mechanized welding, welder test.
