ISO 18785-4-2018 PDF

Full title and description

ISO 18785-4:2018 — Friction stir spot welding — Aluminium — Part 4: Specification and qualification of welding procedures. This International Standard specifies the required content of welding procedure specifications (WPS) for friction stir spot welding (FSSW) of aluminium and its alloys.

Abstract

ISO 18785-4:2018 defines the information that shall be included in welding procedure specifications used for friction stir spot welding (FSSW) of aluminium, addressing material and joint data, process parameters, equipment, qualification tests and documentation necessary to specify and qualify a welding procedure.

General information

• Status: Published / Confirmed (current as reviewed in 2025).
• Publication date: November 2018 (published 2018-11).
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
• ICS / categories: Welding processes — 25.160.10 (welding processes / welders’ competence area).
• Edition / version: Edition 1 (2018).
• Number of pages: 12 pages (official ISO record).

Scope

This document specifies the requirements for the content of welding procedure specifications for friction stir spot welding (FSSW) of aluminium and aluminium alloys. It is intended to ensure welding procedures contain all information necessary for consistent production, qualification and assessment of FSSW joints.

Key topics and requirements

• Required fields for a welding procedure specification (WPS) for FSSW, including identification, scope and intended application.
• Material and joint data to be recorded (base metal, thicknesses, filler/consumables where applicable, joint configuration). (Representative — typical of FSSW WPS content).
• Process and equipment parameters (tool geometry, rotational speed, plunge/hold parameters, clamp and support conditions, machine type and calibration). (Representative examples commonly included in procedure specifications).
• Qualification tests and acceptance criteria required to demonstrate that a procedure produces welds meeting mechanical and inspection requirements.
• Documentation, traceability and record-keeping requirements for qualified procedures, operator identity and equipment calibration. (Inferred from the standard’s emphasis on specification content and related guidance).

Typical use and users

Used by welding engineers, procedure writers, quality and inspection personnel, fabricators and manufacturers (notably in automotive, aerospace, transport and general metal fabrication) who need to create, qualify and control welding procedures for friction stir spot welding of aluminium. National standards bodies and conformity assessment organizations also use the document for harmonization and adoption.

Related standards

ISO 18785-4:2018 is part of the ISO 18785 series on friction stir spot welding of aluminium (other parts address vocabulary, joint design, operator qualification and quality/inspection requirements). Equivalent/adopted regional standards include EN ISO 18785-4 (adoptions noted). Related ISO and industry standards on friction stir welding and welding quality (e.g., ISO 25239 series for friction stir welding, ISO 3834 for fusion welding quality requirements) are commonly referenced alongside this part.

Keywords

Friction stir spot welding; FSSW; aluminium; welding procedure specification; WPS; procedure qualification; welding parameters; joint design; welding quality; inspection.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 18785-4:2018 is an International Standard that specifies the required content of welding procedure specifications for friction stir spot welding (FSSW) of aluminium and its alloys.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers the information and fields that must appear in a WPS for FSSW (identification, materials and joint data, process and equipment parameters, qualification tests, acceptance criteria and documentation/traceability). The document focuses on the content of procedure specifications rather than prescribing detailed test methods.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Welding engineers, procedure authors, QA/inspection staff, fabricators and manufacturers working with aluminium FSSW processes, and certification or conformity-assessment bodies that evaluate procedure qualification.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: As recorded by ISO, ISO 18785-4:2018 is published and was reviewed/confirmed in 2025; the ISO record indicates the edition remains current. Users should check national adoption or amendment records for any later revisions.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — ISO 18785 is a multipart series addressing friction stir spot welding of aluminium (parts include vocabulary, joint design, operator qualification, this part on WPS content, and quality/inspection requirements). Regional/adopted equivalents (EN ISO versions) also exist.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Friction stir spot welding, FSSW, aluminium, welding procedure specification (WPS), procedure qualification, welding parameters, joint design, inspection and quality.