Template For ENG STDS

WORLDWIDE
ENGINEERING Material Specification GMW14671
STANDARDS

Organic Coating Performance for Underhood

and Underbody Components

1 Scope
1.1 Material Description. This standard gives performance requirements for organic-coat finishes on the
surfaces of underhood and underbody components. It also gives opportunity to specify the type of coating
material to be used.
1.2 Symbols. Not applicable.
1.3 Applicability. These coatings are typically used on chassis components, as well as other underhood and
underbody components.
1.4 Remarks. Eight types of paint are covered by this specification: Types A and B are both cathodic
e-coats in two different thickness ranges. Type C is dip primer other than cathodic e-coat. Type D is powder
coating. If Type E is specified, the applicator is free to choose Type A, B, C or D but must stay with this choice.
Type F is to be further specified on the drawing using notes or a paint material specification. Type G is solvent-
or water-based, spray-applied paint. Type H is a dip or dip spin high-performance coating commonly specified
for high-strength control arms, links and cradles/framing. Type H coatings are normally used on bare steel
substrates.

2 References
Note: Only the latest approved standards are applicable unless otherwise specified.
2.1 External Standards/Specifications.
ISO 2808
2.2 GM Standards/Specifications.
GMW3059 GMW14729 GMW15282 GMW16177
GMW3286 GMW14829 GMW15357 GMW17332
GMW14333 GMW14872 GMW15487 GMW17698
GMW14700 GMW15272 GMW15891 GMW17699

3 Requirements
3.1 Requirements on Test Specimens. Not applicable.
3.2 General.
3.2.1 Coatings shall be free of Chrome VI.
3.2.2 Chrome VI used as an adhesion promoter is impermissible.
3.2.3 Post-treatment, if performed, shall be Chrome VI-free.
3.2.4 Parts must be cleaned and receive a pretreatment using approved materials as shown in the GM Approved
Materials Source List. Appropriate preconditioning procedures are required, e.g., tri-cationic zinc phosphate. The
phosphate crystal morphology shall exhibit a maximum, predominant crystal size of 25 µm. Voids or streaking
are not permitted.
Only phosphate materials approved to GM Engineering Standard GMW17699 (zinc phosphate) may be used.
All requirements of GMW17699 must be met. Processing parameters should conform to those recommended
by the chemical suppliers. De-ionized (DI) or reverse osmosis (RO) water rinses must be included and properly
maintained in order to meet the processing performance requirements of this specification. Alternate processes
must receive Engineering approval.

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3.3 Coating Thickness. If parts have cavities that are prone to corrosion (e.g., cradle), a coating type must be
selected which is able to protect the cavity areas with a minimum coating thickness of 10 µm for Types A, B and
C. Type H shall have interior cavity thickness defined in the GM Approved Materials Source List. Types A, B, C
and H are usually chosen for this type of application.
3.3.1 Type A. Cathodic e-coat, coating thickness: 16 µm to 22 µm.
3.3.2 Type B. Cathodic e-coat, coating thickness: 23 µm to 35 µm.
3.3.3 Type C. Dip primer (except cathodic e-coat), coating thickness: ≥ 30 µm.
3.3.4 Type D. Powder coating, coating thickness: ≥ 40 µm.
3.3.5 Type E. Coating thickness to be as specified for Type A, B, C or D, whichever has been chosen for the
application.
3.3.6 Type F. For this type, the thickness shall be defined on the drawing or in the specified paint material
standard.
3.3.7 Type G. Spray paint (e.g., electrostatic application of solvent-based paints or water-based paints). Coating
thickness: ≥ 40 µm.
3.3.8 Type H. Coatings for high-strength chassis underbody components. The high-strength components are
fabricated from bare, non-zinc pre-coated steel substrates and normally welded. The parts must be descaled by
sandblasting or acid cleaning to remove weld oxides. Treatment operations must not have negative impact to
the part performance. Residues (for example, of the blasting material or acid radicals) must be prevented.
The parts shall be coated with approved materials after cleaning. Approved coatings and thickness are identified
in the GM Approved Materials Source List under this specification number. Coating systems typically consist of
a corrosion-resistant primer and topcoat. Typical total coating thickness is 20 µm to 40 µm.
3.3.9 Coating Thickness. Coating thicknesses (dry film builds) are to be measured per ISO 2808. Individual
paint layers are to be measured and reported independently.
3.4 Crosshatch Test. Paint adhesion shall be tested according to GMW14829, Rating 0 or 1 at delivery
conditions and after high-humidity exposure (see 3.6).
For Types C, F and G paints that are cured at 115 °C or less on components exposed to service conditions in
excess of 80 °C: Parts shall be exposed for 120 h ± 5 h in a drying oven at +120 °C ± 3 °C before conducting
the Crosshatch Test.
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3.5 Corrosion Testing.

3.5.1 Cyclic Corrosion Test. See Table 1 for the testing criteria for parts by location on the vehicle. Perform
this test on parts after exposure to cyclic corrosion testing per GMW14872.
3.5.1.1 Types A through G. The parts shall meet the performance requirements of GMW15272. Part
performance records shall be kept for reference and be available for review. Records shall indicate the part
performance and the coupon mass loss at regular intervals (i.e., 5 cycles and 10 cycles).
3.5.1.2 Type H. The parts shall have a corrosion rating of 9 or better at exposure 0 and A. The parts shall have
a rating of 8 or better at exposure D. Corrosion rating per the GM Engineering Corrosion Standards Rating Scale
in GMW15357. Part performance records shall be kept for reference and be available for review. Records shall
indicate the part performance and the coupon mass loss at regular intervals (i.e., 5 cycles and 10 cycles).
Note: Cyclic Corrosion Test must be done for Production Part Approval Process (PPAP).
3.5.2 Salt Spray Fog Test. The salt spray fog test may continue to be used as part of a development program
when directed by GM Materials Engineering.
3.5.2.1 Bare Substrates.
3.5.2.1.1 Parts shall be exposed to salt spray fog per GMW3286 for 336 h (Types A through G) and 1000 h for
Type H.
3.5.2.1.2 There shall be no corrosion (except along scribe lines), blisters or any change of surface. Total
corrosion creepback according to GMW15282 shall be 3 mm maximum for Types A through G and < 1 mm for
Type H. Slight rust is permitted but shall not exceed 20% of the length of exposed edges.
3.5.2.2 Zinc and Zinc Alloy-Coated Substrates. Salt spray fog test for 240 h (Types A through G).
3.5.2.2.1 There shall be no corrosion or any change of surface allowed. Slight white corrosion is permitted at
edges, but shall not exceed 20% of the length of edges. Red rust shall not exceed 5% of the length of edges.
Creep corrosion within 8 mm from edges is permitted and shall be a maximum of one-third of the painted surface.
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3.6 Resistance to High-Humidity Environment. Painted parts shall be exposed for 144 h to a high-humidity
environment according to GMW14729, with no evidence of blistering or any other change of appearance.

Table 1: Testing Criteria Note 1

U/H U/B
Test Class Suffix Location
Underhood Underbody
Gravelometer then Cyclic N/A Types A through G: Expose parts
Corrosion (GMW14700, Method C in Gravelometer per GMW14700,
and GMW14872) Method C, then expose the same
parts in Cyclic Corrosion per
GMW14872, (UB), All, 4 sp,
Method 1/2, Exposure A.

Type H: Expose parts in

Gravelometer per GMW14700,
Method C, then expose the same
parts in Cyclic Corrosion per
GMW14872, (UB), All, 4 sp,
Method 1/2, Exposures 0, A and
D.
Cyclic Corrosion and Corrosion Scribe parts per GMW15282, then N/A
Creepback (GMW14872 and expose the same parts in Cyclic
GMW15282) Corrosion per GMW14872, (UH),
All, 4 sp, Method 1/2, Exposure B.
Evaluate creepback per
GMW15282 Note 2.
N/A = Not Applicable
Note 1: The Testing Criteria will be indicated by the Test Class Suffix (for example, GMW14671 – F-U/B). When the Test Class Suffix is not
indicated (for example, GMW14671 – F), the Testing Criteria will be based on the part’s location on the vehicle per the following:
Underhood Parts: Cyclic Corrosion and Corrosion Creepback per U/H Underhood column in Table 1.
Underbody Parts: Gravelometer then Cyclic Corrosion per U/B Underbody column in Table 1.
Note 2: Maximum allowable creepback per GMW15282 is 6 mm on bare steel and cast iron substrates, and 3 mm on all other substrates.

3.7 Stone Impact Resistance.

3.7.1 Types A through G. Test to GMW14700, Method C. Chip size rating shall be 7 minimum. Only chips to
substrate will be rated. Chip frequency shall be a maximum of High. The test piece, wherever possible, shall be
the finished part. If this is impracticable, the test shall be conducted on samples cut from the finished part or, if
necessary, specially prepared organic-coated test panels with equal substrate and painting material.
3.7.2 Type H. Type H coatings shall show a Stone Chip Rating of 9 minimum, per GMW14700, Method C.
The Gravelometer-tested parts are to be exposed to a salt spray environment per GMW3286 for 24 h in order to
highlight the ratable chips.
3.8 Cure. There shall be a rating of 0 or 1 after the cure test per GMW15891.
3.9 Resistance of the Coating to Oil, Fuel, Battery Acid and Abrasion. If parts may be subject to abrasion
or have contact with oil, fuel or battery acid, parts shall be tested according to 3.9.1, 3.9.2, 3.9.3, or 3.9.4. The
necessity of one of these tests shall be defined on the drawing, using a suffix “Z” (see Example 2 in Section 8).
3.9.1 Oil Resistance. The test piece shall be immersed in engine oil (GMW16177 and GMW17332) and then
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exposed for 24 h ± 5 h in a drying oven at +100 °C ± 3 °C.

After cooling to +23 °C ± 5 °C, the paint film shall show no separation or softening.
3.9.2 Fuel Resistance. Fuel resistance shall be determined according to GMW14333, Method A, Rating 2.
3.9.3 Resistance to Battery Acid. Drops of a solution of sulfuric acid, 38% by mass (solution corresponds to
battery acid) shall be placed on test parts. Then parts shall be stored in a vessel for 24 h at +23 °C ± 5 °C. After

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the test, the parts shall be cleaned by distilled water. There shall be no visible changes caused by the direct
effect of battery acid.
3.9.4 Abrasion Resistance. Test abrasion resistance according to GMW15487, 0.7 L/µm minimum.

4 Manufacturing Process
Not applicable.

5 Rules and Regulations

5.1 Legal Regulations. All materials must satisfy applicable laws, rules, regulations and recommendations valid
in the country of usage.
5.2 Language. In the event of conflict between the English and domestic language, the English language shall
take precedence.
5.3 Inspection and Rejection. Samples of components or materials released to a GM material specification
shall be tested for conformity with the requirements of this material specification and approved by the responsible
Engineering department prior to commencement of delivery of bulk supplies.
A new approval must be received for any changes, e.g., properties, manufacturing process, location of
manufacture, etc. If not otherwise agreed, all testing and documentation normally required for initial release must
be completed.
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It is the responsibility of the supplier to inform the customer in a timely manner, without solicitation, and to include
documentation of all modifications of materials and/or processes and to apply for a new release.
5.4 Material Safety Data Sheets/Safety Data Sheets (MSDS/SDS). For new product submissions, or when a
change in chemical composition of an existing product has occurred, a complete copy of the Material Safety
Data Sheet/Safety Data Sheet must be submitted in compliance with the Globally Harmonized System of
Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS) requirements or other country-specific MSDS/SDS
requirements.
5.5 All materials supplied to this standard must comply with the requirements of the International Material Data
System (IMDS) and GMW3059, Restricted and Reportable Substances.

6 Approved Sources
Materials supplied to this specification must be approved by General Motors.
A list of approved materials can be found in the GM Approved Materials Source List. This GM Material File is
provided to third parties to reduce redundant testing of materials. If approved material already listed is used, the
part supplier can use GM Material File reference for Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) material approval.
If the decision is made to use a not yet approved material, contact GM Materials Engineering for details on the
approval process. The material approval process must be completed prior to PPAP start date of the part supplied
to General Motors.

7 Notes
7.1 Glossary. Not applicable.
7.2 Acronyms, Abbreviations, and Symbols.
DI De-ionized
GHS Globally Harmonized System
IMDS International Material Data System
MSDS Material Safety Data Sheet
PPAP Production Part Approval Process
RO Reverse Osmosis
SDS Safety Data Sheet
U/B Underbody
U/H Underhood

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8 Coding System
This standard shall be referenced in other documents, drawings, etc., as follows:
Examples:
1. “PAINTED BLACK. PERFORMANCE TO GMW14671 – B-U/B” is for cathodic e-coat 23 µm to 35 µm thick,
on an underbody component.
2. “PAINTED BLACK. PERFORMANCE TO GMW14671 – D-U/H, Z. Z = RESISTANCE TO BATTERY ACID”
is for a powder-coated component underhood that may come into contact with battery acid.
3. “PRETREAT PER GMW17699, AND E-COAT PER GMW17698. PERFORMANCE PER GMW14671 –
F-U/B” is for an underbody component that is pretreated using materials that have been approved to GMW17699
and e-coated using materials that are approved to GMW17698.

9 Release and Revisions

This standard was originated in October 2005. It was first approved by the Global Materials Team in May 2007.
It was first published in August 2007.
Issue Publication Date Description (Organization)
1 AUG 2007 Initial publication.
2 Total reformat into GMW Material Specification template. Revised 1.4, 2.1, 2.2,
3.3, 3.3.1, 3.3.2, 3.3.5, 3.4, 3.5, 3.5.1, 3.5.2, 3.7, 3.8, 3.9, 3.9.1, 3.9.2, 3.9.3,
MAY 2009
3.9.4, 7.1, 8, 9.1, Table 1. Added 3.1 and Table A1. (Global Finishes and
Coatings Team)
3 NOV 2011 Added Type H. (Global Finishes and Coatings Team)
4 DEC 2016 Updated template and references as needed for 5 year refresh. (Materials -
Finishes and Coatings Global Subsystem Leadership Team)

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