Description / Abstract: Material Description. This standard defines the requirements for hot rolled or cold rolled laser welded blanks used by GM in the manufacture of stamped sheet steel parts. It applies only to the as-supplied condition of the tailored blanks. This specification also covers laser welded blanks for hot forming.

Symbols. Not applicable.

Applicability. Typical applications for these blanks include, but are not limited to, door inner panels, motor compartment rails, body side inners.

Remarks. Blanks supplied under this standard shall be made by laser butt welding two or more coated or uncoated sheet steel blanks used for subsequent cold forming or hot forming into a pre-determined configuration. For the requirements of the steel sheets the relevant specifications apply. In this specification, all steel materials are covered which can be laser welded with sufficient quality, strength, and formability required for a given application. The steel grades are divided in three specification classes:

1. Mild (GMW2), high strength (GMW3032), and advanced high strength steels (GMW3399) with minimum specified tensile strengths equal to or less than 780 MPa,

2. Advanced high strength steels (GMW3399) with minimum specified tensile strengths exceeding 780 MPa tensile strength, and

3. Press hardening steel (PHS) (GMW14400).

For coated blanks, all requirements shall be fulfilled according to the relevant coating specifications listed in GMW8, GMW11, or GMW14400.