ISO 3834 Quality requirements for fusion welding of metallic materials

Processes such as fusion welding are widely used in the manufacture of many products, so that they are considered a key aspect of production in some companies. These processes have a significant impact on the manufacturing cost and product quality, and therefore it is important that they are carried out in the most effective way and that all parts of the operations related to these processes are properly controlled. The expression of quality requirements for welding processes is of particular importance because the quality of these processes cannot be easily ensured, and that is why in ISO 9000:2008, these processes are called special processes. It is clear that product quality cannot be improved through product inspection, even with the most expensive and accurate non-destructive testing methods, but to ensure product health and problem-free during production and service, it is necessary to Construction is controlled from the design stage, material selection, construction and subsequent inspection. To ensure the health and effectiveness of the construction, it is necessary for the management to be aware of potential sources of problems and implement appropriate methods to control them.

The above standard provides a method to show the ability of a formation to produce products of a certain quality.

Also Read (Nomenclature of Materials Based on ASTM Standard)

The international system for certifying the competence of companies with the aim of complying with the ISO 3834 standard based on European standards has been in existence for nearly 10 years. This standard is able to increase the ability of manufacturing companies to sell their products at the national and international level. Compliance with the above standard gives the company the ability to go global. Calling the quality requirements for standard welding detailing how to control items related to welding operations to achieve the desired consistent quality. A key feature of the standard is the requirement to ensure that persons with welding responsibilities are competent to carry out their responsibilities. This feature is obtained by accompanying another standard called ISO 14731 responsible and coordinating tasks. In 2007, the European Welding Association and the International Institute of Welding agreed that European companies applying for certification according to ISO 3834 should submit to the International Institute of Welding IIW. In order to create and implement this system, IIW International Institute of Welding created a unit called IAB Accreditation Board, which aims to integrate and effectively integrate the international and European system. 3834 is designed in such a way that all the factors that can affect the quality of the product made by the welding method and the need to control them before, during and after welding are determined. This standard is written under the title of quality requirements for fusion welding of metal materials in the following 6 sections:

ISO 3834-1:2005, Criteria for the selection of the appropriate level of quality requirements
ISO 3834-2:2005, Comprehensive quality requirements
ISO 3834-3:2005, Standard quality requirements
ISO 3834-4:2005, Elementary quality requirements
ISO 3834-5:2005, Applicable documents
ISO/TR 3834-6:2007, Guidelines on implementing ISO 3834

Advantages of ISO 3834 for individuals and organizations that use it

Advantages of ISO 3834 for the buyer 1. More assurances than delivery times are included in the contract 2. More assurance of the quality of welding products 3. More credibility and efficiency of the factory 4. Reduction of maintenance costs 5. Reduction or elimination of third party inspection costs 6. More qualified suppliers of welding products

Advantages of ISO 3834 for the manufacturer 1. Less rework and timely completion of work 2. Being recognized as a competitive organization at the regional or international level 3. Meeting the requirements related to ISO 9001 welding 4. More efficient coordination of welding activities 5. A more active and responsible workforce 6. Increasing opportunities and capabilities for tenders 7. Saving costs – more efficient technology 8. Reduction of maintenance audits and inspections by buyers

Eligible companies to receive the above standard:

Companies manufacturing welded structures, both on site and in the factory
Maintenance contractors
Welding product manufacturers
Welding workshops that operate under the unit’s quality management system
And those who do not have the welding product themselves, but are consultants or involved in welding design, reviewing the technical requirements and competence of subcontractors, etc.

ISO 3834 certification status in different parts of the world:

Row	country name	Number of certificates issued
1	Australia	12
2	Iran	22
3	Belgium	3
4	Bulgaria	4
5	Czech Republic	20
6	France	6
7	Hungary	35
8	Netherlands	19
9	Poland	22
10	Romania	73
11	Slovakia	21
12	Slovenia	51
13	South Africa	20
14	Spain	16
15	Latvia	122
16	Ukraine	7
17	England	21

The importance of personnel related to welding from the point of view of the above standard:

A key feature of the ISO 3834 standard is the requirement to ensure that personnel with tasks related to welding are competent to perform such tasks. This importance is not achieved except by another standard called ISO 14731, which specifies the minimum requirements for duties and responsibilities of welding coordinators and inspection personnel. The level of technical knowledge and competence required for the coordinator before being selected for this purpose. The following are suggested in the ISO 14731 standard:

Comprehensive level of technical information – International Welding Engineer IWE.
Special level of technical information – international welding technologist of IWE.
The basic level of technical information is IWS International Welding Specialist.