AWS D8.1M:2013

This document contains both visual and measurable acceptance criteria for resistance spot welds in steels. The information contained herein may be used as an aid by designers, resistance welding equipment manufacturers, welded product producers, and others involved in the automotive industry and resistance spot welding of steels..
Scope : This specification defines quality characteristics and metrics pertinent to resistance spot welds on steels used in automotive applications. The evaluation methods and inspection criteria specified herein can be used to evaluate the effectiveness of particular welding equipment and procedures used to weld a particular base material combination. The criteria and metrics are the same for all welds regardless of the service load. The quality standards established by this specification do not constitute a lower bound of suitability for service; welds that do not meet the weld quality criteria of this specification may be satisfactory for certain applications. The acceptance criteria of this standard are not intended for applications outside this scope (such as post-crash weld quality assessment): attempts to do so may lead to an erroneous result 1.2 Standard Units of Measurement. This standard makes sole use of the International System of Units (SI). 1.3 Safety Precautions. Safety issues and concerns are addressed in this standard, although health issues and concerns are beyond the scope of this standard. Safety and health information is available from the following sources: American Welding Society: (1) ANSI Z49.1, Safety in Welding, Cutting, and Allied Processes (2) AWS Safety and Health Fact Sheets (3) Other safety and health information on the AWS website Material or Equipment Manufacturers: (1) Material Safety Data Sheets supplied by materials manufacturers (2) Operating Manuals supplied by equipment manufacturers Applicable Regulatory Agencies Work performed in accordance with this standard may involve the use of materials that have been deemed hazardous, and may involve operations or equipment that may cause injury or death. This standard does not purport to address all safety and health risks that may be encountered. The user of this standard should establish an appropriate safety program to address such risks as well as to meet applicable regulatory requirements. ANSI Z49.1 should be considered when developing the safety program.