This standard applies to steels approved by GM for Resistance Spot Welding (RSW).

Purpose.

This standard provides the acceptance criteria and repair procedures for resistance spot welds in automotive products for which GM is responsible for establishing or approving product design.

Application.

The criteria established in this standard become mandatory when referenced on a weld design document. Deviations from any weld criteria provided in this standard must be identified on a weld design document or other product design document and be approved using the Global Deviation Approval Process (GWS-8).

Usage.

Welded structures are considered satisfactory when they carry the intended service loads for a required period. Service loads on weldments in a vehicle are varied in both type and magnitude and cannot be addressed by this standard. Therefore, while the weld quality criteria of this standard are consistent with service loading requirements, they have been established specifically for use in process and product monitoring. Any attempted application of this document to other uses, such as post-crash weld quality assessment, may lead to an erroneous result or conclusion. Discrepant welds by retaining a portion of their engineering properties may still contribute to the integrity of the assembly.

Process Control.

The welding source is responsible for establishing practices and test methods to assure that the criteria of this standard are met, and are consistent with applicable Welding Process Control Procedures.

Clarification.

For clarification of this standard or editorial comments, email the GMNA Weld Council at [email protected].

Proposed changes to this standard must be presented to the GMNA Weld Council. To suggest a change to this standard, reference the “Procedure for Weld Standard Changes” on the GMNA Weld Council’s webpage.