Overview
ISO 15609-1:2019 specifies the required content of welding procedure specifications (WPS) for arc welding processes. Part of the ISO 15609 series (see ISO 15607 for general rules), this standard lists the variables that influence welded-joint quality and gives a consistent WPS structure. The 2019 edition supersedes the 2004 edition and includes updates such as the addition of arc energy / heat input and expanded joint preparation details.
Key topics and requirements
ISO 15609-1:2019 defines the technical information a pWPS/WPS must contain. Important topics include:
- Manufacturer identification and references to the welding procedure qualification record (WPQR).
- Parent material: designation, reference standards, material grouping (ISO/TR 20172/20173/20174 or ISO/TR 15608), and thickness/diameter ranges.
- Welding process and joint design: ISO 4063 process reference, sketches, run sequence and dimensions.
- Welding position and joint preparation: positions per ISO 6947; surface condition, cleaning, jigging and tack welding.
- Welding technique: weaving/oscillation limits, torch/electrode angle, and travel speed for mechanized systems.
- Welding consumables: designation, manufacturer/trade name, sizes and handling (drying, storage).
- Electrical and process parameters: current type/polarity, pulse settings, current/voltage ranges, wire feed speeds.
- Thermal controls: preheating, interpass and preheat-maintenance temperatures, postheating for hydrogen release, and post‑weld heat treatment (PWHT) requirements.
- Shielding gas: designation and composition per ISO 14175.
- Heat input / arc energy: ranges or arc energy values following ISO/TR 18491.
- Process-specific requirements: details for manual metal arc (111), submerged arc (12), GMAW/GMA processes (13), GTAW (14), and plasma arc (15).
- Annex A: an informative WPS example format to standardize documentation.
Applications and users
ISO 15609-1 is practical for organizations that need repeatable, auditable welding documentation and quality control, including:
- Welding engineers and procedure writers preparing pWPS/WPS documents.
- Fabricators and manufacturers of pressure equipment, structures, piping and vessels.
- Quality managers, inspectors and auditors assessing conformance to welding specifications.
- Welding training bodies and certification bodies that reference standardized WPS content.
Use ISO 15609-1 to ensure consistent WPS content, reduce weld failures, and support regulatory and customer compliance.
Related standards
Key referenced documents include:
Keywords: ISO 15609-1:2019, welding procedure specification, WPS, arc welding, WPQR, heat input, arc energy, shielding gas, welding consumables, preheating, mechanized welding.