IIW IWI-B study guide
IIW IWI-B · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The International Welding Inspector - Basic (IWI-B) is the entry level of the IIW's three-tier welding inspection qualification, sitting below IWI-S and IWI-C. It is aimed at people who check welded fabrication against drawings, welding procedure specifications and applicable standards: welding coordinators, workshop supervisors, quality control staff, and technicians moving from fabrication into inspection. The IIW IWI-B study guide has 7 sections and about 2,681 words.
01Welding processes and equipment
This domain tests whether you can match a process to a joint, set its main variables, and explain the equipment limits behind the choice. Expect questions on power-source characteristics, metal transfer, duty cycle and the process variables that control penetration, dilution and deposition rate.
401 words, about 2 min02Materials and their behaviour during welding
This domain tests what the welding thermal cycle does to the parent metal and how cracking and loss of properties are prevented. Expect carbon equivalent, hydrogen, preheat, heat-affected zone microstructure, and the behaviour of stainless steels, aluminium and other alloys.
395 words, about 2 min03Construction and design
This domain tests whether you can read a weld symbol, size a weld correctly and understand why details fail. Expect ISO 2553 symbols, effective throat, static design of fillet and butt welds, fatigue-sensitive details, and the link between design detail and inspectability.
408 words, about 2 min04Fabrication, applications and inspection
This domain tests the production chain from qualified procedure to accepted weld. Expect WPQR and WPS logic, welder qualification, fit-up and distortion control, heat input calculation, and the selection and timing of non-destructive testing methods.
355 words, about 2 min05Quality management, standards and regulations
This domain tests the management system around welding: who is responsible, which standard applies, how records are controlled and how nonconformities are closed. Expect ISO 9001, the ISO 3834 series, EN 1090 execution classes, ISO 14731 welding coordination, material traceability and calibration.
351 words, about 2 min06Health, safety and environment
This domain tests hazard identification and control in welding workplaces: fume, radiation, electricity, fire and confined spaces. Expect questions on extraction, personal protective equipment, welding screens, hot work permits and atmospheric testing.
373 words, about 2 min07Practical visual inspection and reporting
This domain tests whether you can inspect a weld properly and record what you found. Expect inspection stages, illumination and access conditions, gauges, the main visual discontinuities, acceptance levels to EN ISO 5817, and the content of a usable inspection report.
398 words, about 2 min