Overview - ISO 19828:2017 (Visual inspection of welds for aerospace)
ISO 19828:2017 defines requirements for the visual inspection of welds in metallic materials for aerospace applications and for the qualification and certification of visual weld inspectors. It covers inspection of weld zones in the as‑welded condition, inspection of joints prior to or between welding sequences, and inspection of brazed joints (with adapted training). The standard emphasizes documented inspection results, inspection conditions, equipment, personnel qualification, training, examination, certification, recertification and loss of certification.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope of inspection
- Inspect weld zones for joint presence/location, appearance (oxidation, contamination), visible discontinuities (cracks, lack of fusion, undercut), dimensions and geometry.
- Inspect attachments removed after temporary welding for damage/defects.
- Inspection conditions & equipment
- Minimum white light illumination: 1 000 lx (oblique dominant illumination with subdued background).
- Direct inspection: direct line of sight, magnification up to 10×, viewing distance up to 400 mm, inspection angle not less than 30° unless otherwise required.
- Indirect inspection: mirrors, borescopes, fiber optics or cameras where direct access is not possible; lighting may be adjusted for contrast. Annex D lists example equipment.
- Documentation
- Inspection results must be recorded - e.g., inspector stamp/signature or a comprehensive report (recommended format in Annex C).
- Personnel qualification
- Inspectors must be certified visual weld inspectors.
- Vision requirements per EN 4179 or ISO 18490: near vision retest every 2 years, colour perception retest every 5 years; results documented.
- Candidate experience: minimum one year in a role directly related to weldments (design, production, fabrication, inspection or repair) - education may substitute at examiner’s discretion.
- Training & examination
- Documented training program (Annex A/B give recommended content).
- Examination includes open‑book (applicable standards/contracts) and closed‑book (welding fundamentals) sections.
- Employer & examiner responsibilities
- Employer authorizes inspectors; examiner (designated in writing) certifies/recertifies and ensures compliance.
Applications - who uses ISO 19828:2017
- Aerospace manufacturers and suppliers performing welding or brazing on metallic components.
- Quality managers, welding coordinators, NDT and inspection teams.
- Training organizations and certification bodies that prepare and assess visual weld inspectors.
- Design and engineering authorities setting inspection plans and acceptance criteria.
Related standards
- ISO 18490 - evaluation of vision acuity of NDT personnel (referenced).
- EN 4179 - qualification and approval of personnel for NDT (aerospace series; referenced).
- ISO 13880 and ISO/TR 25901 (informative references in terminology and weld zone definitions).
Keywords: ISO 19828:2017, visual inspection of welds, aerospace welding, visual weld inspectors, weld inspection training, inspection equipment, certification, non‑destructive testing (NDT).