Introduction
EN ISO 5817 is an international standard for the visual inspection of welds. This standard sets acceptable criteria for the visual inspection of welded joints and ensures that inspection procedures are carried out in a standardized manner. EN ISO 5817 is used to assess the quality of welded joints and verify their compliance with specific requirements.
Scope of the Standard
EN ISO 5817 can be applied to different welding methods (arc welding, gas metal arc welding, TIG welding, etc.) and material groups (steel, aluminum, stainless steel, etc.). This standard defines inspection criteria according to different weld classes and quality levels.
Defect Classes
EN ISO 5817 classifies defects on the surface of welded joints into specific classes. There are three main classes: B, C, and D:
Class B: The class closest to the ideal condition. Acceptable defects in this class are very limited and are generally used in applications that are aesthetically important or do not require high strength.
Class C: Welds with defects at an acceptable level for general applications. Welds in this class can be used in structural applications with lower strength requirements.
Class D: Welds with a high level of defects. Welds in this class are generally not suitable for structural applications and are often used for repair or temporary purposes.
Inspection Method and Process
According to the EN ISO 5817 standard, visual inspection of welds includes the following steps:
1. Preparation: Ensuring a suitable environment for the inspection process and preparing the inspection equipment.
2. Surface Preparation: Cleaning and properly preparing the weld surface, removing contamination, and if necessary, appropriately treating the surface.
3. Determination of Inspection Area: The inspection personnel determines the area to be inspected and marks appropriate sections if necessary.
4. Observation and Evaluation: The inspection personnel carefully observes the inspected surface to identify potential defects. Defects are classified and evaluated according to the specified standards.
5. Reporting: A detailed report of the detected defects is prepared. This report may include the location, size, type, and class of the defects.
Possible Defects and Error Codes Specified in ISO 6520-1
ISO 6520-1 defines possible defects in welded joints and provides an error code for each defect. These defects and codes include:
Type 100 – Cracks
Type 200 – Cavities
Type 300 – Solid Inclusions
Type 400 – Incomplete Fusion & Penetration
Type 500 – Imperfect Shape and Dimensions
Conclusion
Visual inspection of welds according to the EN ISO 5817 standard is an important tool for controlling the quality of welded joints and verifying their compliance with specific requirements. The standard defines acceptable defect levels for different welding methods and material groups and ensures that inspection procedures are carried out in a standardized manner.
