Overview
ISO 19828:2025 - Welding for aerospace applications - Visual inspection of welds is an updated international standard that defines requirements for the visual inspection of welds in metallic materials used in aerospace. It covers pre-weld, in-process and post-weld visual assessment, applies to brazed joints where relevant, and specifies qualification, certification and training requirements for personnel who perform visual weld inspection.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope and applicability: Visual inspection of weld zones, joints prior to or between welding sequences, and brazed joints where applicable.
- Inspection conditions: Default inspections are performed in the as‑welded condition; re-inspection is required after mechanical dressing or re-welding.
- Lighting: Recommended oblique illumination with subdued background; minimum white light of 1 000 lx in the inspection area.
- Direct inspection: Requires a direct line of sight, magnification up to 10×, viewing access within 400 mm and a typical inspection angle not less than 30° (subject to surface/lighting).
- Indirect inspection: Use of mirrors, borescopes, endoscopes, fibrescopes or cameras when direct access is not possible. Type of endoscope/borescope must be documented; methods must verify root fusion, penetration and root‑side shielding where applicable.
- Limitations: If a weld zone cannot be fully visually inspected, the engineering/design authority must be informed and a defined inspection method provided.
- Personnel qualification & certification: Inspectors must be certified; eyesight requirements reference ISO 18490 (near vision retest every 2 years, colour perception retest every 5 years). Education, experience, training, examinations, re‑examination, certification, recertification and loss of certification are defined.
- Documentation: Inspection results must be recorded (inspector stamp/signature). Annex C gives a recommended inspection report format; Annexes A/B/D cover training content and inspection equipment examples.
Applications and who uses ISO 19828:2025
- Aerospace manufacturers and fabricators performing fusion welding and brazing who need to ensure weld conformance to engineering drawings and quality plans.
- Quality/inspection engineers, non‑destructive testing (NDT) personnel and production supervisors responsible for weld acceptance and traceability.
- Training organizations and certification bodies that develop curricula and certify visual weld inspectors, especially when using indirect tools (borescopes/endoscopes).
- Design/engineering authorities who define inspection access, acceptance criteria and any special indirect inspection methods.
Related standards
- ISO 18490 - Non‑destructive testing - Evaluation of vision acuity of NDT personnel (referenced for eyesight requirements)
- EN 4179 / NAS 410 - Qualification and approval of personnel for NDT (related aerospace practice)
ISO 19828:2025 is essential for ensuring consistent, documented and qualified visual inspection practices for aerospace welds, improving safety, traceability and manufacturability across welding and brazing operations.