Monthly Roundup: Manufacturing Engineering Standards from July 2025 (Part 1)

Looking back at July 2025, the Manufacturing Engineering sector experienced a substantial period of standards development, with five key ISO standards published across surface preparation, abrasive classification, and welding practices. This marked a month of deeper technical harmonization and quality reinforcement, with standards targeting both broad industrial needs and specialized domains such as aerospace. For professionals spanning engineering, procurement, and compliance, staying abreast of these updates is vital for ensuring both immediate compliance and long-term process improvement. This overview analyzes the main themes, summarizes each standard with actionable detail, and highlights trends driving the sector’s regulatory evolution.

Monthly Overview: July 2025

During July 2025, standardization activity in Manufacturing Engineering notably emphasized substrate preparation, the specification and testing of abrasives, and the continual advancement of welding quality. With five highly technical standards released, the month showcased a balance between detailed process improvement and broader classification frameworks. The simultaneous publication of surface preparation standards targeting both metallic and non-metallic abrasives, alongside groundbreaking updates in welding inspection (especially for the aerospace sector), indicates an industry-wide movement toward elevating reliability and repeatability in core manufacturing processes. When compared with previous months, July 2025 stands out for its focus on the interrelationship between foundational processes (like blast cleaning) and high-value sectors (such as aerospace welding), suggesting a holistic push toward lifecycle quality and risk mitigation.

Standards Published This Month

ISO 11124-6:2025 – Stainless Steel Blast-Cleaning Abrasives

Preparation of steel substrates before application of paints and related products – Specifications for metallic blast-cleaning abrasives – Part 6: Stainless steel (shot and irregulars)

This standard delineates the requirements for stainless steel shot and irregulars intended for blast-cleaning applications. Covering particle size ranges, grade designations, hardness, density, defect limitations, metallographic properties, and chemical composition, ISO 11124-6:2025 is a pivotal reference for quality control in surface preparation involving both static and site blasting systems. Notably, while developed for steelwork preparation, the properties defined are also widely applicable to non-ferrous substrates, making the standard broadly relevant across manufacturing.

The specification is crucial for industries seeking the recovery and re-use of abrasives and factors in galvanic corrosion concerns when disparate metals are present. Traceability, sampling, and manufacturer information requirements are also included, supporting end-to-end process management.

Key highlights:

• Detailed classification of stainless steel shot and irregulars, including particle size and grade
• Encompasses a comprehensive set of physical and metallurgical requirements
• Supports both initial surface preparation and component finishing in multi-material environments

Access the full standard:View ISO 11124-6:2025 on iTeh Standards

ISO 14555:2025 – Arc Stud Welding of Metallic Materials

Welding – Arc stud welding of metallic materials

ISO 14555:2025 sets out the technical requirements applicable to arc stud welding used on metallic materials, covering components under both static and dynamic (fatigue) loads. The standard details welding knowledge prerequisites, operator qualifications, process planning, equipment description, and testing methodologies for production welds. It’s designed to serve as a contractual reference, with flexibility allowing manufacturers to apply only pertinent clauses to specific projects—ideal for both broad adoption and custom engineering applications.

An important update in this edition is its comprehensive procedural scope, including quality assurance mechanisms and full references to related fusion welding requirements (such as those in ISO 3834 series). The enhanced coverage of procedure qualification and operator testing strongly supports global harmonization of arc stud welding quality.

Key highlights:

• Defines arc stud welding requirements from planning to operator certification
• Incorporates exhaustive references to fusion welding quality standards
• Enables organizations to specify and demonstrate manufacturing competence at contract level

Access the full standard:View ISO 14555:2025 on iTeh Standards

ISO 11125-5:2025 – Blast-Cleaning Abrasives: Defective Particles and Microstructure Testing

Preparation of steel substrates before application of paints and related products – Test methods for metallic blast-cleaning abrasives – Part 5: Determination of percentage defective particles and of microstructure

This standard provides critical methods for determining the percentage of defective particles and for evaluating the microstructure of metallic abrasives used in blast-cleaning. These test procedures underpin both quality control and procurement processes by enabling users to assess conformity prior to use. With detailed sampling instructions, measurement routines for shape defects in various particle types (shot, grit, cylindrical, irregular), and explicit guidelines for microstructural analysis, ISO 11125-5:2025 closes a key feedback loop between abrasive manufacturing and end-user quality assurance.

For organizations responsible for surface preparation quality, this standard aids defect reduction, predictive maintenance, and process optimization.

Key highlights:

• Specifies test methods for assessing defective particles and microstructure in metallic abrasives
• Supports robust incoming inspection and supplier qualification
• Integrates easily with other ISO 11125-series test procedures

Access the full standard:View ISO 11125-5:2025 on iTeh Standards

ISO 19828:2025 – Welding for Aerospace: Visual Inspection of Welds

Welding for aerospace applications – Visual inspection of welds

Representing a significant leap in the standardization of aerospace manufacturing, ISO 19828:2025 establishes the requirements for the visual inspection of welds in metallic materials—including both joints and intermediate inspection points. The standard sets rigorous qualification and certification thresholds for inspection personnel, mandates adequate and documented eyesight standards, and provides guidance on direct and indirect inspection methods (using devices such as borescopes and endoscopes).

Special focus is given to minimum training requirements, revalidation intervals, and when indirect inspection is permissible—addressing the unique challenges of aerospace assembly and maintenance. The standard also covers visual inspection of brazed joints, expanding its applicability. With the revision, requirements for documenting visual aids and inspecting welds with restricted access were strengthened, reflecting advances in both inspection technology and regulatory expectations.

Key highlights:

• Stipulates visual weld inspection procedures for aerospace and high-spec metallic applications
• Details personnel qualification, recertification, and documentation standards
• Addresses both conventional and advanced indirect inspection techniques

Access the full standard:View ISO 19828:2025 on iTeh Standards

ISO 11126-1:2025 – Non-Metallic Blast-Cleaning Abrasives: Introduction and Classification

Preparation of steel substrates before application of paints and related products – Specifications for non-metallic blast-cleaning abrasives – Part 1: General introduction and classification

ISO 11126-1:2025 serves as the foundational document for classifying non-metallic blast-cleaning abrasives, with an emphasis on new (unused) material characteristics. This edition presents a detailed classification system covering abrasive types, initial particle shapes, and particle size ranges, culminating in a complete designation method for non-metallic abrasives. It supports both steel and non-steel substrate preparation, making it relevant to a broad segment of the manufacturing industry. The revision brings updated tables and streamlines annexes, reflecting the evolution of abrasive products and testing requirements.

This standard is closely linked to the ISO 11127 test methods and is essential for harmonizing procurement, application, and quality assessment of blast-cleaning materials worldwide.

Key highlights:

• Provides a comprehensive reference for classifying non-metallic abrasives by type, shape, and size
• Presents harmonized designation and marking requirements for new abrasives
• Facilitates cross-sectoral best practices in blast-cleaning substrate preparation

Access the full standard:View ISO 11126-1:2025 on iTeh Standards

Common Themes and Industry Trends

A review of July 2025’s Manufacturing Engineering standards uncovers recurring patterns:

• Elevated Focus on Surface Preparation: Three of five standards addressed blast-cleaning abrasives (both metallic and non-metallic), signaling a substantial push to harmonize classification, specification, and testing methods. This reflects industry needs to control pre-coating and pre-assembly quality at a deeper level.
• Integration of Testing and Inspection: The publication of both specification and test method standards in tandem (as seen with ISO 11124 and ISO 11125) underscores a move toward end-to-end process validation.
• Quality and Qualification in Welding: Welding standards centered on operator qualification, visual inspection rigor, and specialized disciplines like aerospace, a sector where error margins are minimal. Heightened recertification, documentation, and equipment standards point to an industry-wide response to growing complexity and safety expectations.
• Lifecycle Traceability and Re-Use: Specifications on traceability, lot identification, and defective particle rates show a trend toward improving resource efficiency, reducing audit risk, and enhancing circularity—particularly relevant in high-volume or sustainability-driven industries.
• Sectoral Cross-Applicability: While initially tailored for steelwork, many of these standards were framed to support both ferrous and non-ferrous materials, indicating an awareness of increasingly diverse manufacturing inputs and processes.

Compliance and Implementation Considerations

Organizations affected by these new and revised standards should consider the following steps:

1. Gap Analysis: Review current procedures and procurement specifications for alignment with new classification, testing, and documentation requirements.
2. Resource Training: Ensure that quality personnel and weld inspectors meet revised qualification standards, especially for aerospace applications where periodic recertification may now be mandated.
3. Supplier Communication: Update incoming inspection routines and supplier contracts to specify conformance with the latest ISO 11124, ISO 11125, and ISO 11126 classifications and test protocols.
4. Process Updates: Where applicable, enhance traceability systems for abrasives and welds to document compliance, facilitate audits, and anticipate feedback loops between use and specification.
5. Timeline Consideration: Factor in lead times for requalification of personnel and potential re-tendering of supplies to only those conforming with the updated standards.

For organizations seeking to harmonize quality control across multiple sites or geographies, referencing these standards in internal procedures and training documents can accelerate compliance and reduce the risk of non-conformity during future audits.

Conclusion: Key Takeaways from July 2025

July 2025 marked a benchmark month for Manufacturing Engineering standards, introducing significant updates in abrasive classification, surface preparation quality, and the control of welding—both in general manufacturing and specialist sectors like aerospace. For industry professionals, the month’s activity spotlights:

• The critical importance of process validation, especially in surface and substrate preparation
• A rising bar in personnel qualification, visual inspection, and compliance documentation
• The value of robust traceability, defect prevention, and supplier management as prerequisites for operational excellence

By closely tracking and implementing these latest standards, professionals in the Manufacturing Engineering sector can position their organizations for improved competitive standing, reduced compliance risk, and efficient adaptation to future regulatory shifts. To explore the full depth of each standard and their implications, visit iTeh Standards for authoritative, up-to-date resources and links.