Overview
EN ISO 18785-3:2021 - "Friction stir spot welding - Aluminium - Part 3: Qualification of welding personnel" specifies requirements for qualifying personnel involved in friction stir spot welding (FSSW) of aluminium and aluminium alloys. Adopted by CEN from ISO 18785-3:2018, this standard defines who must be qualified (notably weld setters), the scope of training for welding operators, and documentation and testing needed to issue qualification certificates. It does not apply to personnel who only load or unload automatic welding units.
Key topics and requirements
- Scope and terminology: Applies to FSSW of aluminium and its alloys; terms align with ISO 18785-1 (vocabulary).
- Who to qualify: Primary focus on weld setters; welding operators require at least equipment operation and safety training.
- Essential variables covered for qualification ranges:
- FSSW variant (tool motions and process variant)
- Welding equipment and controls
- Parent materials (aluminium grades/alloys)
- Weld joint geometry
- Qualification methods: Multiple routes are defined, including:
- Standard welding tests
- Welding procedure tests
- Pre‑production or production test pieces
- Production welding sample tests
- Test welds and evaluation: Requirements for making, testing and re‑testing welds, plus maintaining test records.
- Certification and validity: Certificates issued on successful qualification; standard defines initial qualification, confirmation and prolongation procedures (periods of validity are specified within the document).
- Informative annexes: Annex A (functional knowledge of the welding unit) and Annex B (weld setter qualification test certificate template).
- Normative references: Includes ISO 18785-1 and -4 and relevant NDT standards (e.g., ISO 17636, ISO 17640) for weld inspection.
Applications and who uses it
This standard is essential for organizations implementing FSSW of aluminium, including:
- Welding personnel (weld setters and operators)
- Quality managers and production supervisors
- Training providers and certification bodies
- OEMs and fabricators in automotive, aerospace, rail, marine, consumer products and food equipment
- Procurement and compliance teams ensuring qualified labour for FSSW processes
Using EN ISO 18785-3:2021 helps ensure consistent FSSW personnel qualification, improves weld quality and traceability, and supports compliance with industry best practices for aluminium joining.
Related standards
Keywords: EN ISO 18785-3:2021, Friction stir spot welding, FSSW, aluminium, qualification of welding personnel, weld setter qualification, welding operator training, welding standards.