This specification covers the acceptance criteria and geometric require menu for gas metal arc spot, plug and slut welds, encountered in automotive a welding for which GM is responsible for establishing or approving product design

The application of the requirement of this specification is mandatory, unless a specific note on the weld drawing establishes different weld criteria. Any exceptions from these requirements must be in accordance with good engineering practice.

Welds are considered satisfactory when they carry the intended or expected service loads for a required period. Service loads on wcldmcnts m a vehicle are varied in both type and magnitude and can not be addressed by this specification. Therefore, while weld quality criteria of this specification are consistani with weld service loading requirements, they have been established based on the process and product moni¬toring. Any attempted application of this document to other uses, such as post-crash weld quality assessment, may lead to an erroneous result or conclusion.

Welds are considered discrepant when they do not meet the criteria of this specification. Discrepant welds often retain some of their engineering properties and may still contribute to the integrity of the assembly.

The welding source is responsible fur establishing prac¬tices and test methods to assure that the criteria for this specification are met.