scope:

This standard applies to steels approved by GM for the following types of arc welding processes:

• Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW)

• Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW)

• Flux Cored Arc Welding (FCAW)

• Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW)

• Plasma Arc Welding (PAW)

Purpose.

This standard provides the acceptance criteria and repair procedures for arc welds in automotive products for which GM is responsible for establishing or approving product design. This standard does not apply to arc spot welds, arc plug welds or slot welds.

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.

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 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 GM Weld Council at weld.council@gm.com.

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 Weld Council's webpage.