Estndares

Mundiales de Especificacin Material GMW14057

Ingeniera

Criterios de Aceptacin de Soldadura y Procedimientos de Reparacin en Soldaduras de Acero

por Resistencia de Punto

1 Alcanse
Nota: Nada en este estandar sustituye las leyes aplicables y regulaciones.
Nota: En caso de conflicto entre el idioma ingles y domesticos, el lenguaje ingles debera tomar precedencia.
Este estandar aplica para aceros aprovados por GM para soldadura por puntos de resistensia (RSW).
1.1 Objetivo. Este estandar provee los crieterios de aceptacin y procedimientos de reparcin para soldaduras por punto
de resistencia en productos para el automovil para lo cual GM es responsable de establecer o aprobar el diseo de
los productos.
1.2 Aplicabilidad. Los criterios establecidos en esta norma son obligatorios cuando se hace referencia en una soldadura
diseo de document. las desviaciones de algun criterio de suelda provisto en esta norma debe ser identificado en un
document diseado para suelda o en otro documento de diseo de productos
1.3 Utilizacin. Estructuras soldadas se consideran satisfactorios cuando llevan las cargas de
servicio previstas para un
requiere tiempo. Cargas de servicio en piezas soldadas en un vehculo se varan tanto en tipo y
magnitud y no puede ser
dirigida por esta norma. Por lo tanto, mientras que los criterios de calidad de la soldadura de la
presente norma son consistentes con
requisitos del servicio de carga, se han creado especficamente para su uso en procesos y
productos
monitoreo. Cualquier intento de aplicacin de este documento para otros usos, como la calidad
de la soldadura despus de una colisin
evaluacin, puede conducir a un resultado errneo o conclusin. Soldaduras discrepantes por
retencin de una parte de su
propiedades de ingeniera todava puede contribuir a la integridad del conjunto.
1.4 Aclaracin. Para mayor claridad de los comentarios de esta norma o de redaccin, por correo
electrnico el GM Global Weld Consejo en
weld.council @ gm.com.
Los cambios propuestos en la presente norma debe ser presentado ante el Consejo Mundial de
suelda. Para sugerir un cambio en este
estndar, la referencia al "Procedimiento de soldadura cambios estndar" en la pgina web del
Consejo Mundial de Weld.

2 Referecias.
Note: Slo las ltimas normas aprobadas son aplicables a menos que se especifique lo contrario.
2.1 Norma externna/Especificaciones
Ninguna
2.2 GM Normas/Especificaciones
GMW14058 GMW15563
2.3 Referencias Adicionales
Best Practice File - Weld Appearance Zone Diagrams (available from Global Weld Council as needed)
Global Manufacturing System (GMS) Operating Guidelines and Global Launch Manual
 Copyright 2011 General Motors Company All Rights Reserved

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GM WORLDWIDE ENGINEERING STANDARDS GMW14057

3 Requirements
3.1 General Acceptance Criteria.
3.1.1 Individual Spot Weld Criteria. There are multiple visual and measurable attributes that are used to
evaluate spot weld quality. These attributes are divided into two categories: attributes that make the weld
discrepant; and attributes that do not make the weld discrepant, but the attribute is undesirable for appearance
or processing.
3.1.2 Categories of Spot Welds. There are two categories of spot welds: structural and process.
3.1.2.1 Structural Spot Welds. Structural spot welds are installed for performance of the welded product. All
spot welds are structural unless specifically noted as process welds on the weld design document.
3.1.2.2 Process Spot Welds. Process spot welds are installed to facilitate in-process assembly, but are not
required for structural performance of the product. Process spot welds must be approved by Product and
Manufacturing Engineering and shown on the weld design document.
3.1.3 Weld Surface Appearance. Product and Manufacturing Engineering jointly must identify and approve
the designation of weld surface appearance classifications for those spot welds where appearance is deemed
necessary to satisfy Perceptual Quality requirements. Class III welds shall be considered the default weld
appearance classification when no other classification is specified on the welding design document.
3.1.4 Adjacent, Missing or Cold Welds. Product detected with two or more adjacent structural spot welds
that are not installed (missing welds), or judged to be cold welds must be repaired regardless of the pattern
tolerance.
3.2 Visual Acceptance Criteria.
3.2.1 Visual Attributes Discrepant Welds. Welds that exhibit any of the following attributes are discrepant
welds.
3.2.1.1 Cracks. Spot welds with crack(s) around the circumference that are visible without the aid of
magnification, are discrepant welds. Spot welds with surface cracks confined within the impression left by the
electrodes are not discrepant welds. See Figure A1.
3.2.1.2 Holes. Spot welds that contain holes extending through the weld are discrepant welds and cause the
product to be nonconforming, regardless of the quantity tolerance. See Figure A2.
3.2.1.3 Edge Welds. Welds in which the spot weld imprint, as defined by the impression left by the electrodes,
is not contained within all edges of the sheet metal being welded are discrepant. See Figure A3, welds E
and F.
3.2.1.4 Missing Welds. When fewer welds exist than are specified on the weld design document, the omitted
welds are discrepant.
3.2.2 Visual Attributes Appearance and Processing Considerations. Welds that exhibit the following
attributes are undesirable either from an appearance or processing viewpoint. However, these attributes do not
make the weld discrepant and should not be used in determining weld pattern conformance.
3.2.2.1 Extra Welds. The number of spot welds installed shall not exceed the number specified on the weld
design document, except as required by the repair procedures described in 3.4 of this standard. The welding
process shall be adjusted to eliminate extra welds.
3.2.2.2 Whiskers. Welds exhibiting whiskers should have the welding process adjusted to eliminate the
condition. See Figure A4.
Note: Welds shall be free of whiskers when using ultrasonic inspection equipment to avoid damage to the
transducer.
3.2.2.3 Distortion. Spot welds in which the sheet surfaces are distorted more than 25 degrees from the normal
plane shall have the welding process adjusted to the original qualified setup in order to reduce the distortion to
less than 25 degrees. See Figure A5.
3.2.2.4 Thinning. Spot welds exhibiting thinning greater than 30% of the total metal stackup should have the
welding process adjusted to the original qualified setup in order to reduce the thinning below 30%. See
Figure A6.
3.2.2.5 Trim Edge Deformation. Welds in which the original edge of the weld flange is deformed by the
electrodes but whose spot weld imprint is contained within all edges of the sheet metal being welded are not
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GM WORLDWIDE ENGINEERING STANDARDS GMW14057

discrepant. The process shall be adjusted to the original qualified setup to eliminate the condition. See
Figure A3, welds C and D.
3.2.2.6 Indentation. Indentation is a depression on the sheet surface. See Figure A6. The appearance criteria
for indentation are listed in Appendix A.
3.2.2.7 Surface Eruption. Surface eruption is an upsurge of the sheet surface adjacent to the electrode cap
imprint. See Figure A7. The appearance criteria for surface eruption are listed in Appendix A.
3.2.2.8 Spatter. Spatter is weld metal expulsion that remains attached to surface(s) adjacent to the weld. See
Figure A4. The appearance criteria for spatter are listed in Appendix A.
3.2.3 Perceptual Quality Requirements.
3.2.3.1 Classification. The following designations are used to communicate a desired surface appearance of
spot welds and are in addition to the visual criteria specified in this section.
Welds that do not meet the additional appearance criteria contained in Appendix A for the designated
appearance classification are not discrepant but shall have the welding process adjusted (to the original
qualified setup) to achieve the desired weld surface appearance criteria.
3.2.3.2 Class IIB Welds. Class IIB welds are intended for sheet metal surfaces that are visible to the customer
on secondary surfaces of completed vehicles. Class IIB welds provide the least visible marking on the sheet
metal surface in comparison to Class IIC or III welds.
3.2.3.3 Class IIC Welds. Class IIC welds are intended for sheet metal surfaces that are visible to the customer
on secondary surfaces of completed vehicles and applicable where the product design enablers for a Class IIB
weld cannot be met. Class IIC welds can also be applied to sheet metal surfaces not visible on completed
vehicles, and where either downstream processes require welds to be free of jagged surface eruptions or
where weld spatter may create an appearance problem in the immediate area adjacent to the weld. Class IIC
welds have more visible marking on the sheet metal surface than attainable with a Class IIB weld, but less
visible marking than a Class III weld.
3.2.3.4 Class III Welds. Class III welds are intended for general use on sheet metal surfaces where there is no
special requirement for surface appearance. Class III welds have no additional appearance criteria.
3.2.3.5 Other Procedures. Product Engineering or Manufacturing Engineering may require metal finishing or
other procedures for those spot welds not meeting the criteria for weld surface appearance.
3.2.3.6 Confirmation. Confirmation of appearance requirements specified in Appendix A shall be verified
using either visual comparison to an approved Product Quality Standard or by direct measurement.
3.3 Measurable Acceptance Criteria.
3.3.1 Weld Location. Spot welds must be properly located relative to design location as indicated on the weld
template and to each other as follows.
In a pattern consisting of a single in-line row of welds in which a distinct product feature provides visual
reference to the end weld, an end weld installed greater than 10 mm in radial distance from the design
location is a discrepant weld. A distinct product feature must be a visible trim edge or other recognizable
part feature that is perpendicular or nearly perpendicular to the row of welds and within 30 mm of the end
weld.
For all other welds, a spot weld installed greater than 20 mm in a radial distance from the design location
is a discrepant weld.
For visible secondary surface welds, Appendix A specifies the weld location tolerance. Refer to the Weld
Appearance Zone diagrams in the Best Practices file for classification of visible weld.
If the spacing between two adjacent welds in a pattern consisting of a single in-line row of welds exceeds
the design spacing by greater than 20 mm, the weld furthest from the design location is a discrepant.
3.3.2 Weld Size. The weld size may be measured by either using the weld button (Figure A8), the weld nugget
(Figure A9), or the fusion zone. A spot weld is discrepant when the measured weld size is less than the
minimum acceptable weld size specified in Table 1.
The minimum weld sizes shown in Table 1 are based on the formula four times the square root of the
Determining Thickness (DT), with the DT expressed in millimeters. How to identify the Determining Thickness
is shown in Appendix B.

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GMW14057

Table 1: Minimum Acceptable Weld Size

Determining Thickness
Minimum Acceptable Weld Size
(DT)

0.65 to 1.29 mm 4.0 mm

1.30 to 1.89 mm 5.0 mm

1.90 to 2.59 mm 6.0 mm

2.60 to 3.25 mm 7.0 mm

3.3.1.1 Interfacial Fracture. With certain steels or types of loading, a weld button may not always result from
destructive testing. In these cases of interfacial fracture, examination of the fusion zone must be used to
determine weld size. Criteria for evaluation of the fusion zone must be in accord with an approved Product
Quality Standard.
3.3.1.2 Cold Welds. Weld locations that do not produce a weld button after a destruct test and are not
interfacial fractures are cold welds. Cold welds are discrepant welds.
3.3.1.3 Laminated Vibration Damping Steel. The minimum weld size specified in Table A1 is required only at
the faying surface for laminated steel. There are no minimum weld size requirements for the interface between
the layers of the laminated steel.
For purposes of determining the minimum weld size, the laminated steel shall be treated as one sheet whose
thickness is equal to the sum of the two outer sheets and the inner visco-elastic layer as shown in Figure A10.
3.4 Disposition/Repair Procedure.
3.4.1 Spot Weld Pattern Conformance Criteria. A pattern is a collection of spot welds to which a tolerance is
applied to meet structural requirements and for determining manufacturing acceptance of the product. Spot
weld patterns must include all structural welds and be shown on the weld design document. Process welds
shall not be included in any weld patterns.
The spot weld pattern is conforming when the number of acceptable spot welds (not discrepant per the
requirements of this standard) within a pattern meets or exceeds the pattern tolerance as stated on the weld
design document. Manufacturing acceptance of product is based on all patterns conforming. Known and
suspect product with nonconforming patterns must be repaired.
Note: Two or more adjacent missing or breaking welds cause pattern nonconformance regardless of the
quantity tolerance. Structural spot welds with holes cause the pattern to be nonconforming regardless of the
quantity tolerance.
3.4.2 Repair Exceptions. An exception to specified product repair requirements may be permitted provided
there is documented review and approval by the responsible Product Engineer allowing the suspect product to
deviate from specification and pattern conformance criteria.
3.4.3 Surface Appearance. Spot weld surface appearance criteria are not used in determining weld pattern
conformance.
3.4.4 Process Spot Welds. Process spot welds are not to be used in determining weld pattern conformance.
Process welds containing holes require product repair.
3.4.5 Repair Procedures. When required spot welds shall be repaired according to the procedures specifically
authorized by the appropriate Product Engineer. In the absence of an engineering approved repair procedure,
the following repair methods shall be used in the following order of preference.
3.4.5.1 Resistance Spot Weld Repair. Spot weld with a weld gun that is qualified for the metal types and
thicknesses to be welded. One repair spot weld shall be added for each spot weld being repaired. Repair spot
welds must meet the requirements of this standard. Locate repair spot welds as close as possible to the
original designated weld location without overlapping the existing spot weld.
3.4.5.2 Arc Weld Repair. Arc weld repair of laminated steels is not permitted.
3.4.5.3 Arc Spot or Plug Weld Repair. For each spot being repaired, weld using Gas Metal Arc Welding
(GMAW) plug or GMAW spot with steel filler wire. The GMAW spot or GMAW plug weld shall conform to the
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GM WORLDWIDE ENGINEERING STANDARDS GMW14057

applicable arc spot and plug weld acceptance criteria standard. All repair personnel using this method of repair
must be periodically qualified and approved following local procedures.
3.4.5.4 Arc Fillet Weld Repair. A GMAW fillet weld may be used for two metal thickness joints. The GMAW
repair weld must be located as close as possible to the original designated weld location and must be a
minimum of 20 mm in length. The repair welds must conform to GMW14058. All repair personnel using this
method of repair must be periodically qualified and approved following local procedures.

4 Manufacturing Process
4.1 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 the GM Joining and Dispense Process
Control Procedure (GMW15563).

5 Notes
5.1 Glossary.
Cold Weld: A weld that does not produce a weld button after a destruct test. At the faying surface of a cold
weld, there is no indication of fusion. Cold welds do not indicate a nugget when the weld is cross-sectioned.
Crack: A fracture type discontinuity characterized by a sharp tip and high ratio of length to width of opening
displacement on the exterior surface. See Figure A1.
Distortion: Angle of displacement that the sheet surfaces are distorted from the normal plane. See Figure 5.
Edge Weld: A condition in which the spot weld imprint, as defined by the impression left by the electrodes is
not contained within all edges of the sheet metal being welded. See Figure A3, welds E and F.
Extra Welds: The number of spot welds that exceed the number specified on the weld design document.
Faying Surface: The mating surface of two members to be welded. See Figure A11.
Hole: A perforation in the spot weld that allows light to travel through the material from one exterior surface to
the opposing exterior surface of the weld. See Figure A2.
Indentation: The depression on the sheet surfaces caused by the welding electrodes. See Figure A6.
Interfacial Fracture: A fracture mode of a spot weld where all or part of the weld nugget separates through
the plane of the weld at the faying surface.
Missing Welds: The number of spot welds not installed as specified on the weld design document.
Original Qualified Setup: The weld parameters established and documented during Weld Verification. Also
referred to as Initial Qualified Setup.
Pearls: See Weld Spatter.
Product Quality Standard (PQS): Measurable requirements for product characteristics, which when satisfied
ensure the product meets internal and external customer requirements. (Refer to GMS Operating Guidelines
and Global Launch Manual.)
Surface Eruption: Upsurge of the metal surface adjacent to the weld imprint. See Figure A7.
Thinning: The amount of the original total metal stackup thickness reduced by the welding process. See
Figure A6.
Trim Edge Deformation: A condition in which the original edge of the weld flange is deformed by the
electrodes but whose spot weld imprint is contained within all edges of the sheet metal being welded. See
Figure A3, welds C and D.
Weld Button: That part of the weld that tears out in a peel or chisel test. See Figure A8.
Weld Button Size: The weld button size of a symmetrical (round) button is the diameter of the button. The
weld button size of an asymmetrical (oval or oblong) button is calculated by adding the measurement of the
major axis to the measurement of the minor axis and dividing by 2. See Figure A12. The measurements are to
be taken at the faying surface. See Figure A13.
Weld Design Document: A product document that describes welding requirements such as number of welds,
location of welds, applicable weld standards, weld patterns, surface appearance classification, weld notes etc.
This document is released and approved by the appropriate Design Release Engineer.

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Weld Expulsion: Molten metal that is extruded from between the sheets being welded or from the interface
between the outer sheet metal surface and the electrode(s). See Figure A4.
Weld Imprint: The impression left in the metal surface by the electrodes after welding. See Figure A3.
Weld Nugget: The weld nugget is that part of the weld where fusion is evident at the faying surface and
extending into the parent metal resulting in a metallurgical structure change. See Figure A9.
Weld Nugget Size: The weld nugget size is the dimension of the fusion zone measured from a macro section
examination or weld cross section. See Figure A9.
Weld Size: Resistance Spot Weld Size refers to either the weld button size or the weld nugget size.
With certain steels or types of loading, a weld button may not always result from a peel or tensile test. In these
cases of interfacial fracture, examination of the fusion zone must be used to determine weld size.
Weld Spatter: Weld expulsion metal that remains attached to an adjacent metal surface away from the
electrodes. The visible weld spatter is sometimes referred to as pearls. See Figure A4.
Weld Template: An inspection device used to evaluate weld location. Templates are typically created by
plotting the weld spot location as defined by the weld design document on a transparent overlay for
comparison to the actual weld locations. See Figure A14.
Whiskers: Sharp weld expulsion metal that remains attached to the metal surface adjacent to the weld imprint.
See Figure A4.
5.2 Acronyms, Abbreviations, and Symbols.
DT Determining Thickness
GMAW Gas Metal Arc Welding
GMS Global Manufacturing System
PQS Product Quality Standard
RSW Resistance Spot Welding

6 Coding System
This standard shall be referenced in other documents, drawings, etc., as follows:
GMW14057

7 Release and Revisions

This standard was originated in August 2004. It was first approved by the CCRW Global Council in December
2005. It was first published in January 2006.

Issue Publication Date Description (Organization)

1 JAN 2006 Initial publication.
2 OCT 2009 Reformat to approved GMW Welding template. Revised weld surface
appearance criteria, clarified weld size measurement criteria. Moved
and renumbered figures to Appendix A. (GM Global Weld Council)
3 AUG 2011 Update to address acceptance criteria for adjacent missing or
breaking welds and for welds with visible surface cracks or holes.
(GM Global Weld Council)
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F
i
GM WORLDWIDE ENGINEERING STANDARDS g
u
r
e
A
Appendix A 1
:
S
u
r
f
a
c
e
 Cracks

GMW14057

Figure A2: Hole

Weld Spatter

F
Edge Weld
E Whiskers
D Trim Edge
Deformation
C
B
Spot Weld
A

Weld Expulsion

Figure A3: Edge Weld Figure A4: Weld Expulsion

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GM WORLDWIDE ENGINEERING STANDARDS

 GMW14057

B
A E D
Angle of Distortion
C

% Thinning = 100 - E x 100

B+D

Figure A5: Distortion Figure A6: Indentation and Thinning

Figure A7: Surface Eruption Figure A8: Weld Button

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GM WORLDWIDE ENGINEERING STANDARDS

 Figure A9: Weld Nugget Size

GMW14057

Measure Weld Size at Faying Surface

Figure A10: Laminated Steel

d1
Faying
Surface

d2

Figure A11: Faying Surface Figure A12: Weld Button Size

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GM WORLDWIDE ENGINEERING STANDARDS

 GMW14057

Figure A13: Weld Button Measurement

Figure A14: Weld Template

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GM WORLDWIDE ENGINEERING STANDARDS GMW14057

 Table A1: Additional Spot Weld Surface Appearance Criteria by Weld Surface Classification

Attributes GMW14057 Class IIB Class IIC

Reference

Edge Welds Section 3.2.1.3 Not Permitted Not Permitted

Figure A3

Trim Edge Deformation Section 3.2.2.5 Not Permitted Not Permitted

Figure A3

For visible groups, linear For visible groups, linear

placement, and alignment to placement, and alignment to
Weld Location Section 3.3.1
adjacent feature, each weld adjacent feature, each weld
spot is to be within 1.5 mm spot is to be within 1.5 mm
of the design location. of the design location.

Circular and Symmetrical Spot

Weld Imprint with Uniform None Required Required
Perimeter

Distortion Section 3.2.2.3 4 Maximum 4 Maximum

Figure A5

Indentation Section 3.2.2.6 0.20 mm Maximum No Requirement

Figure A6

Surface Eruptions Section 3.2.2.7 0.15 mm Maximum No Requirement

Figure A7

Spatter (Pearls) Section 3.2.2.8 Not Permitted Not Permitted

Adjacent to the Weld Figure A4
Note: Welds that do not meet the appearance requirements listed in Table A1 must have the welding process adjusted to the original
qualified setup to achieve the appearance requirements. With the exception of edge welds, welds that do not meet the appearance
requirements listed in Table A1 are not considered discrepant welds.
Whiskers Section 3.2.2.2 Not Permitted Not Permitted
Figure A4

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Appendix B
Selecting the DT. The DT of a two or three loose sheet welded stackup is determined as follows:
 The thickness of the thinner sheet for a two sheet stackup (Figure B1, stackup 2)
The thickness of the second thinnest sheet for a three unequal sheet stackup (Figure B1, stackups 4, 5
and 6)
The thickness of one of the equal sheets for two or three sheet stackup with two or more equal sheets
(Figure B1, stackups 1, 3, 7, 8, 9 and 10)

(2 and 3 Loose Welded Sheets)

Figure B1: Determining Thickness

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