Steels, nickel alloys and cobalt alloys investment castings - Visual testing of surface quality

This document specifies the acceptance criteria for the surface examination of steel, nickel alloy and cobalt alloy investment castings by visual testing.

Pièces moulées par le procédé dit «à la cire perdue» en acier, alliages de nickel et alliages de cobalt — Examen visuel de la qualité de surface

General Information

Status
Published
Publication Date
14-Mar-2020
Current Stage
9093 - International Standard confirmed
Start Date
22-Sep-2025
Completion Date
13-Dec-2025

Relations

Effective Date
14-Jan-2017

Overview

ISO 19959:2020 - "Steels, nickel alloys and cobalt alloys investment castings - Visual testing of surface quality" defines acceptance criteria and inspection practices for the surface examination of investment castings made from steel, nickel and cobalt alloys. The standard specifies how to perform visual testing (VT) of surface features, magnification limits, acceptance levels, ordering information and required inspection documentation.

Key topics and requirements

  • Scope: Visual surface inspection of steel, nickel‑alloy and cobalt‑alloy investment castings (lost‑wax process).
  • Acceptance levels: Four levels (I–IV). If no level is specified by purchaser, Level IV applies by default.
  • Inspection conditions:
    • Maximum magnification: .
    • Surface features smaller than 0.25 mm are considered non‑relevant.
    • Linear discontinuities are not permitted.
  • Typical acceptance criteria (examples from Table 1):
    • Surface pits, positive metal, gate‑stub and parting‑line heights are defined per level (e.g., gate stub heights for Levels I–IV include 0.25 mm, 0.40 mm, 0.75 mm, 1.15 mm respectively).
    • Apparent surface roughness Ra values are specified by level (e.g., 1.6 µm, 2.5 µm, 3.2 µm, 6.3 µm).
    • Maximum pit and protrusion diameters and depths are listed per level.
  • Ordering information: Purchaser and supplier should agree on the area(s) to be examined, number of castings, required acceptance level(s) and any explicitly unacceptable surface conditions.
  • Personnel qualification: Inspectors must be qualified per ISO 9712 (NDT personnel certification).
  • Documentation: Manufacturer should retain inspection records (if requested), including casting identification, inspector name and qualification, comparator reference, and designated area/level checked.

Applications and users

ISO 19959:2020 is used by:

  • Foundries producing investment castings in steel, nickel and cobalt alloys
  • Quality/inspection engineers and NDT technicians performing visual acceptance tests
  • Purchasers and supply chain quality managers in aerospace, power generation, medical, oil & gas and precision engineering sectors where surface integrity of cast components affects performance and fit
  • Contract manufacturers and suppliers who must document compliance with contractual acceptance levels

Practical benefits include standardized pass/fail criteria for surface defects, consistent supplier–buyer agreements on surface quality, and clear requirements for inspector qualification and traceable inspection records.

Related standards

  • ISO 9712 - Qualification and certification of NDT personnel (normative reference).
  • Comparator references cited in the standard: BNIF 359 and GAR sample plates for visual/tactile surface comparison.

Keywords: ISO 19959:2020, visual testing, surface quality, investment castings, acceptance criteria, NDT, ISO 9712, surface pits, linear discontinuities.

Standard

ISO 19959:2020 - Steels, nickel alloys and cobalt alloys investment castings — Visual testing of surface quality Released:3/15/2020

English language
4 pages
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Frequently Asked Questions

ISO 19959:2020 is a standard published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). Its full title is "Steels, nickel alloys and cobalt alloys investment castings - Visual testing of surface quality". This standard covers: This document specifies the acceptance criteria for the surface examination of steel, nickel alloy and cobalt alloy investment castings by visual testing.

This document specifies the acceptance criteria for the surface examination of steel, nickel alloy and cobalt alloy investment castings by visual testing.

ISO 19959:2020 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 77.140.80 - Iron and steel castings. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.

ISO 19959:2020 has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to ISO 19959:2005. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.

ISO 19959:2020 is available in PDF format for immediate download after purchase. The document can be added to your cart and obtained through the secure checkout process. Digital delivery ensures instant access to the complete standard document.

Standards Content (Sample)


INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 19959
Second edition
2020-03
Steels, nickel alloys and cobalt alloys
investment castings — Visual testing
of surface quality
Pièces moulées par le procédé dit «à la cire perdue» en acier, alliages
de nickel et alliages de cobalt — Examen visuel de la qualité de surface
Reference number
©
ISO 2020
© ISO 2020
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation, no part of this publication may
be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, or posting
on the internet or an intranet, without prior written permission. Permission can be requested from either ISO at the address
below or ISO’s member body in the country of the requester.
ISO copyright office
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Phone: +41 22 749 01 11
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Published in Switzerland
ii © ISO 2020 – All rights reserved

Contents Page
Foreword .iv
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Ordering information . 2
5 Testing . 2
5.1 Qualification of personnel . 2
5.2 Conditions of testing . 2
6 Acceptance criteria . 2
7 Testing documentation . 2
Bibliography . 4
Foreword
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This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 17, Steel, Subcommittee SC 11, Steel
castings.
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition (ISO 19959:2005), which has been technically
revised. The main changes compared to the previous edition are as follows:
— “Terms and Definition” renumbered as Clause 3;
— “Ordering Information” renumbered as Clause 4;
— new Clause 7 for “Testing documentation”.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www .iso
...

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