WORLDWIDE

ENGINEERING Material Specification GMW14672

STANDARDS

Minimum Plating Structure and Performance Requirements for

Decorative Chromium Plated Metallic Parts

1 Scope
This specification covers basic requirements for copper-nickel-chromium electroplated metallic parts, including
assemblies.
1.1 Material Description. Platings to this specification are subdivided into three performance classes:
 Class A: Exterior components with severe service conditions, likely to include damage from denting,
scratching, and abrasive wear such as those encountered by automotive bumpers and assist steps.
 Class B: Exterior components without stone-chipping exposure or other mechanical abuse, such as door
handles or emblems (not on the front of the vehicle).
 Class C: Interior components.
For exterior applications, discontinuous chromium plate (microporous (mp) or microcracked (mc)) in addition to
a multiple layer nickel system shall be used.
For interior applications a continuous chrome layer (r) is permissible. The use of discontinuous chromium or
multiple-layer nickel systems is not required for interior components.
Plating per this specification is intended for use over metallic substrates; plating on plastics is specified in
GMW14668. For plating of stainless substrates, see GMW15613.
1.2 Symbols. Not applicable.
1.3 Typical Applications. This type of finish shall be principally used for decorative purpose, including bright
and other (e.g., satin, brushed, grained) appearances for interior and exterior applications, as defined by
styling and specific appearance standards.
1.4 Remarks. Not applicable.

2 References
Note: Only the latest approved standards are applicable unless otherwise specified.
2.1 External Standards/Specifications.
ASTM B456 ASTM F1470 ISO 4516 SAE/USCAR-7
ASTM B571 ISO 1463 ISO/IEC 17025
ASTM B764 ISO 2177 ISO/TS 16949
ASTM E384 ISO 3497 SAE/USCAR-5
2.2 GM Standards/Specifications.
GMW3059 GMW14458 GMW14872
GMW3286 GMW14668 GMW15613
GMW14264 GMW14829 GMW16193
2.3 Additional References.
GP-12 GM1920: Early Production Containment
GM1927-03: Supplier Quality Statement of Requirements (SOR)
TMC003 Material Safety Data Sheet guidance documents

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3 Requirements
3.1 Substrate Structure. Parts shall demonstrate no defects such as cracks, shrink holes, or surface porosity.
Parts shall be free of internal stress, which may influence adhesion or appearance of the plating.
3.2 Relief from Hydrogen Embrittlement. All parts heat treated or highly cold worked to the specified core
hardness greater than HV 320 or surface hardness HV 353, which are processed through the hydrogen
generating processes, shall be processed per SAE/USCAR-5 and tested for de-embrittlement per
SAE/USCAR-7. The sample size for the SAE/USCAR-7 test shall be per ASTM F1470.
3.3 Coating.
3.3.1 Plating Thickness. Minimum plate thickness as specified in Table 1 is intended to apply to all low
current density and high current density areas of significant surfaces as specified on appropriate part drawings
or as otherwise agreed upon between purchaser and supplier (written statement). Significant surfaces are
those normally visible, directly or by reflection, on the finished part when assembled in vehicle position or
which can be the source of corrosion deposits that deface visible surfaces on the assembled vehicles.
Plating thickness measurements shall include a mapping of specific areas of the part. Locations and key
dimensions agreed upon with the GM Design Engineer and Materials Engineer. It is the supplier‟s
responsibility to ensure that General Motors Design and Materials Engineering have been consulted on
thickness mapping and quality assurance plating thickness points. These points are also referred to as

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P-points. If not otherwise designated, at least four thickness measurements shall be made per part, which will
be selected to represent low to high current density regions of the part.
Minimum thickness and corrosion resistance performance requirements for textured finishes (e.g., brushed)
apply after texturing.
Deviations from the minimum coating thickness shall be reported to Materials Engineering for evaluation.
If corrosion products are visible anywhere on a finished and dressed component in vehicle position, this
specification is not met.

Table 1: Plating Thickness Requirements

Minimum Thickness Significant Surface
Plating Base Substrate Total Copper Nickel
Note 1
Chromium
Class Material (Part)
m m m m

45 20 25 0.25 to 0.5 (mp)

Steel 0.8 minimum (mc)
30 N/A 30
0.25 to 0.5 (mp)
Zinc 40 10 30 0.8 minimum (mc)
A
Note 2 Note 2 0.25 to 0.5 (mp)
Copper 40 10 30 0.8 minimum (mc)
Aluminum 0.25 to 0.5 (mp)
Note 3, Note 4 50 10 40 0.8 minimum (mc)
(Al)
45 20 25 0.25 to 0.5 (mp)
Steel 0.8 minimum (mc)
30 N/A 30
0.25 to 0.5 (mp)
Zinc 35 10 25 0.8 minimum (mc)
B
Note 2 Note 2 0.25 to 0.5 (mp)
Copper 35 10 25 0.8 minimum (mc)
Aluminum (Al) 0.25 to 0.5 (mp)
Note 3, Note 4 50 10 40 0.8 minimum (mc)

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Minimum Thickness Significant Surface

Plating Base Substrate Total Copper Nickel Chromium
Note 1

Class Material (Part)

m m m m

13 5 8 0.25 to 0.5 (mp)

Steel 0.8 minimum (mc)
13 N/A 13 0.3 (r)

0.25 to 0.5 (mp)

Zinc 13 5 8 0.8 minimum (mc)
0.3 (r)

Note 5, Note 6
0.25 to 0.5 (mp)
Note 2 Note 2
C Copper 13 5 8 0.8 minimum (mc)
0.3 (r)

Aluminum (Al) 0.25 to 0.5 (mp)

Note 3 13 5 8 0.8 minimum (mc)
0.3 (r)
0.25 to 0.5 (mp)
Magnesium 13 5 8 0.8 minimum (mc)
0.3 (r)

Note 1: Chromium thickness is limited to 0.5 m to prevent overlaying the microparticulate nickel pores if used. Exceeding this limitation
may be acceptable provided that pore count is proper. Microcracked chromium deposits shall have a minimum thickness of 0.8 µm.
Note 2: For cloisonné type substrates, copper is optional. If copper is not used, then nickel thickness is the minimum total thickness.
Note 3: Copper plating is optional for tubular aluminum products. If copper is not used, then nickel thickness is the minimum total
thickness.
Note 4: All plated components must receive an aluminized wax or other corrosion-resistant coating on insignificant surfaces unless
otherwise specified on the drawing.
Note 5: For non-wear interior parts, minimum chromium thickness may be 0.13 m, if authorized by purchaser. Approval is indicated by
note on part drawing.
Note 6: Tin cobalt alloy may be used in lieu of chromium when symbol (K) is added to the specification number, e.g., “GMW14672
Class C (K).”

3.3.2 Nickel Layer Thickness. For systems with a total nickel layer thickness ≥ 20 m, multiple layer nickel
thickness consisting of at least three layers of electrodeposited nickel shall be as follows in Table 2:
Note: If the total nickel layer thickness is < 20 microns, the semi-bright thickness shall be 50% minimum.

Table 2: Nickel Thickness Requirement

Thickness Relative to Total
Nickel Thickness
Note 1 Note 2 Note 3
Single Layer Triple Layer Quad Layer
Type of Nickel Layer
(Class C) (Class B) (Class A or Class B)
Bottom (semi-bright) N/A 60 to 80% 60 to 80%
Middle (high-Sulfur) N/A N/A Required
Top (bright) 100% 20 to 40% 20 to 40%
Surface (mp) N/A Required Required
Note 1: Minimum requirement for Interior parts Class C. The use of a triple or quad layer system is permissible.
Note 2: Minimum requirement for Exterior parts Class B. The use of a quad layer system is permissible.
Note 3: For Exterior Parts Class A, a quad layer nickel system shall be used unless otherwise specified.
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3.3.3 Nickel Electrochemical Potential (Multiple-layer Nickel Systems Only). Determination of

electrochemical potential difference between plating layers shall follow ASTM B764 Simultaneous Thickness
and Electrochemical Potential (STEP) test. A schematic view of a typical STEP chart is shown in Figure A1.
The supplier must demonstrate conformance to this requirement by using appropriate statistical charting
techniques on a routine quality control basis. Table 3 lists required STEP ranges for various plating layers.

Table 3: Nickel Electrochemical Potential

Layers Potential Range
Note 1
Microporous to Bright 10 to 40 mV
Note 2
Bright to Semi-Bright 100 to 200 mV
Note 4 Note 3
High Sulfur to Bright ≥ 15 mV
Note 1: Microporous electrochemical potential minus Bright electrochemical potential.
Note 2: Bright electrochemical potential minus Semi-Bright electrochemical potential.
Note 3: High-sulfur electrochemical potential minus Bright electrochemical potential.
Note 4: If applicable.

 The microparticulate nickel layer shall exhibit a cathodic electrochemical potential difference of
10 to 40 mV to the bright (or satin) nickel on all significant surfaces of all substrates.
 The bright (or satin) nickel layer shall exhibit an anodic electrochemical potential difference of
100 to 200 mV to semi-bright nickel on all significant surfaces.
 The high-activity nickel strike layer, if used, shall exhibit an anodic electrochemical potential difference of
≥ 15 mV to the bright nickel layer.
If a microcrack chrome plating system is used, no electrochemical potential difference will be measurable.
3.3.4 Nickel Hardness (Only Exterior Parts - Class A). Semi-bright nickel hardness shall be ≤ 460 HK
(ISO 4516, 0.025 HK). Bright nickel hardness ≤ 550 HK is preferred. Use of 0.01 HK for the thinner bright layer
is allowed.
3.3.5 Discontinuous Chromium.
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Table 4 shows discontinuous chromium requirements for all plating, except interior.

Table 4: Discontinuous Chromium (Measured per ASTM B456)

Chromium Requirements
2
Microporous (mp) > 5000 pores/cm
300 to 800 cracks/cm
Microcracked (mc)
(closed homogenous network in all directions)

3.3.6 Plating of Aluminum and Magnesium. Suitable pretreatment processes must be developed for each
type of alloy and process of manufacture of the alloy. All pretreatment of aluminum or magnesium processes
must pass all visual adhesion and corrosion resistance properties as specified prior to production on each type
of alloy and each type of manufacturing process of aluminum or magnesium.
3.4 Test Requirements.
3.4.1 Plating Thickness. The plating thickness shall be determined by the microscopic method (ISO 1463) or
the electrochemical method (ISO 2177), or by x-ray method (ISO 3497). In case of disagreements between
purchaser and supplier, the microscopic method shall be the preferred method. Generally, x-ray or
electrochemical methods are preferred for measurement of the chromium layer.
3.4.2 Nickel Electrochemical Potential (Only Exterior Parts). The electrochemical potential between the
different nickel layers shall be determined to ASTM B764. See Figure A1 for an example chart. This test is also
known as the STEP test.

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3.4.3 Semi-bright and Bright Nickel Hardnesses (Only Exterior Class A). The nickel hardness shall be
determined to ISO 4516.
3.4.4 Determination of Crack Number/Pore Number. Discontinuous chromium (microporous) measurement
shall be performed by the determination of active corrosion sites after corrosion testing, as described in
Appendix X5 of ASTM B456. In the case of microporous active sites determination, compare the viewed
sample at 100X to the pore density charts shown in Figure A2 of this specification to determine pore count.
Photomicrographs shall be taken to demonstrate effective pore size and distribution.
For microcracked chrome, evaluation and count of microcracks may be done directly by adding a straight line
of a certain length to the part and use of a microscope.
The surface pores or cracks shall be invisible to the unaided eye.
3.4.5 Saw Grind Adhesion Test. Plated components shall be subjected to the ASTM B571 Saw Grind Test,
with no evidence of lifting or peeling between plated layers or between plating and substrate.
Place pressure-sensitive adhesion tape, as described in GMW14829, approximately 10 to 20 mm wide over
the cut edge, leaving sufficient length of tape to grasp between fingers for quick removal. Quickly pull tape at
approximately 90° to the surface of part to remove entire strip. Examine for evidence of lifting of electroplate.
3.4.6 Thermal Shock Test. A temperature shock test to determine the adhesion must be performed. The
temperature depends on the type of substrate (see Table 5). Parts shall be heated to the temperature listed for
1 h ± 15 minutes and then direct immersed in water at room temperature (23 ± 3 °C). The requirement is no
blistering or flaking of the coating after immersion.
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Table 5: Thermal Shock Test

Substrate Temperature
Steel 300 ± 10 °C
Zinc 150 ± 10 °C
Copper 250 ± 10 °C
Aluminum or Magnesium 150 ± 10 °C

Parts which are exceptionally large may be cut/sectioned to fit in the oven.
3.4.7 Corrosion Resistance Test. Corrosion resistance shall be determined by the Copper Accelerated Acetic
Acid Salt Spray (CASS) test, GMW14458, according to the number of hours specified in Table 6. For interior
components, salt spray testing per GMW3286 for 72 h may be used in place of 8 h CASS.
Plated components shall be free of any surface defects and free of corrosion on all significant surfaces when
examined at normal reading distance with the unaided eye and uniform diffused light. This includes pitting,
blistering, spotting, etc., whether or not accompanied by substrate corrosion.

Table 6: Minimum Corrosion Resistance

Minimum Corrosion Resistance (h)
Application
CASS Salt Spray Test
Exterior (Class A) 66 N/A
Exterior (Class B) 44 N/A
Interior (Class C) 8 72

3.4.8 Exhaust Gas Condensate Corrosion Test. For Class A component validation, 35 cycles of cyclic
corrosion with exhaust gas condensate (GMW14872, Option 5) shall be performed. A GMW14264 rating of 9
(one or two small rust spots) or 10 (no red rust) on the entire part is expected. This test is not mandatory
unless specified on the part drawing (e.g., GMW14672 Class A, including exhaust gas condensate corrosion
test).
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3.5 Test Category and Frequency. Table 7 shows the required test frequencies for plated parts within a
plating facility.
3.5.1 Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) Testing. An initial approval for the plating facility must be
completed per GMW16193. Examples of test data forms are shown in Tables B1, B2, B3, and B4. Parts shall
be tested according to the PPAP test definition in Table 7. For each test, a minimum of six (6) parts
representing three (3) low and three (3) high current density rack locations is required. The plating thickness
(paragraph 3.4.1) and the nickel electrochemical potential (paragraph 3.4.2) shall be measured on all P-points.
All testing shall be performed in an accredited laboratory. Laboratory accreditations to ISO/IEC 17025 are
acceptable. If another laboratory that is not ISO/IEC 17025 approved is planned to be used, it is the
responsibility of the supplier submitting the technology to receive approval to use the laboratory. Approval must
be received from the GM Engineer responsible for approving the specific technology and before any testing is
done. Using an unaccredited lab may also require testing in two different labs, whereby one lab must be
independent. Generally, the unaccredited laboratory must be in a facility that has a Quality System approval to

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ISO/TS 16949. Include a scope of accreditation or a scope of activity from the auditor with the test data.
3.5.2 Quality Control Testing. Table 7 shows the minimum test frequencies for quality control testing within a
plating facility. Each test must be completed on a low current density part from the same rack location unless
otherwise defined by Supplier Quality.
The quality control testing is divided into two levels.
3.5.2.1 Level 1. For product development, Level 1 testing frequency shall be performed on all plating runs
during the GP-12 GM1920 Early Production Containment period. For later containment purposes or for high-
risk parts, Level 1 testing may also be required by Supplier Quality at any time.
3.5.2.2 Level 2. After the GP-12 period, a formal request to reduce testing frequency to Level 2 will have to be
approved by Supplier Quality. If testing frequency according to Table 7 cannot be done because parts are not
produced on a regular basis, the Supplier should establish a sampling plan with GM Supplier Quality for testing
all parts periodically. The sample plan is to be documented in the Control Plan. For part-specific quality control
testing, consider also the part-specific Supplier Quality SOR GM1927-3 if available.

Table 7: Required Test Frequency

Interior Exterior
Test Requirements PPAP/ Quality Quality PPAP/ Quality Quality
Plater Control – Control – Plater Control – Control –
Approval Level 1 Level 2 Approval Level 1 Level 2
Note 4 Note 5 Note 5
3.4.1 Plating Thickness X Daily Weekly X Daily Weekly
Nickel Electrochemical Note 5
3.4.2 Note 4 N/A N/A N/A X Daily Weekly
Potential
Note 1
3.4.3 Nickel Hardness N/A N/A N/A X Weekly Monthly

Determination of Crack Twice

3.4.4 Number/Pore Number
Note 2 N/A N/A N/A X
Weekly
Weekly

3.4.5 Saw Grind Adhesion Test X Daily Weekly X Daily Weekly

3.4.6 Thermal Shock Test X Daily Weekly X Daily Weekly

Twice
3.4.7 Corrosion Resistance Test X Weekly Weekly X
Weekly
Weekly

Exhaust Gas Condensate

3.4.8 Corrosion Test
Note 3 N/A N/A N/A X Annually Annually

Key:
N/A = Not applicable.
X = Required.
Note 1: For Exterior Class A only.
Note 2: If microcracked or microporous chrome is used.
Note 3: For Exterior Class A only, must be indicated on part drawing.
Note 4: Testing shall be done on all P-Points except where Note 4 included.
Note 5: Testing shall be done on one P-Point.

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3.5.3 Inspections and Rejection. All shipments of materials or parts under contract or purchase order
manufactured to this specification shall be equivalent in every respect to the initial samples approved by
engineering. There shall be no changes in formulation, part geometry, rack design, plating chemicals used or
manufacturing process permitted without prior notification and approval by GM Engineering. Lack of
notification by the supplier constitutes grounds for rejection of any shipment.
As part of the approval process for such changes, the electroplater will perform rack studies to determine the
plating variation within a part and within a rack. These data are to be used to update the process control plan
and to determine part check locations to create a monitoring strategy which ensures that all plated parts meet
all of the performance criteria.
While samples may be taken from incoming shipments and checked for conformance to this specification, the
supplier shall accept the responsibility for incoming shipments meeting this specification without dependence
upon purchaser‟s inspection.

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

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manufacture, etc. If not otherwise agreed, all testing and documentation normally required for initial release
must be completed.
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.
If not otherwise agreed, all release tests shall be repeated and documented by the supplier prior to
commencement of delivery of non-conforming bulk supplies. In individual cases, a shorter test can be agreed
to between the responsible Engineering department and the supplier.
5.4 Initial Source Approval. No shipments shall be made by any supplier until representative initial production
samples have been approved by the appropriate Materials Engineering department(s) as meeting the
requirements of this specification.
5.5 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. In addition, product MSDS/SDS submissions must be in compliance with specific country
General Motors TMC003 Material Safety Data Sheet/Safety Data Sheet guidance documents where available.
5.6 All materials supplied to this standard must comply with the requirements of GMW3059, Restricted and
Reportable Substances for Parts.

6 Approved Sources
Engineering qualifications of an approved source are required for this standard. Only sources listed in the GM
Materials File (i.e., GM Supply Power) under this standard number have been qualified by Engineering as
meeting the requirements of this standard.
For other GM locations, the responsible Engineering group should be contacted to obtain the approved source
in that individual country.

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7 Notes
7.1 Glossary. Not applicable.
7.2 Acronyms, Abbreviations, and Symbols.
Al Aluminum
CASS Copper Accelerated Acetic Acid Salt Spray test
GHS Globally Harmonized System
HK Knoop Hardness
K Tin cobalt alloy may be used in place of chromium
mc Microcracked
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mp Microporous
MSDS Material Safety Data Sheet
mV Millivolt
N/A Not applicable
PPAP Production Part Approval Process
r Continuous chrome layer
SDS Safety Data Sheet
SOR Statement of Requirements
STEP Simultaneous Thickness and Electrochemical Potential test
X Required

8 Coding System
This standard shall be referenced in other documents, drawings, etc., as follows:
Plating per GMW14672 Class A

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9 Release and Revisions

This standard was originated in October 2005. It was first approved by Global Finishes and Coatings
Subsystem Leadership Team in July 2006. It was first published in June 2007.
Publication
Issue Description (Organization)
Date
1 JUN 2007 Initial publication.
2 DEC 2009 Added x-ray preference for measuring Cr (3.2), additional hardness and construction
requirements for Class A (3.8.2), and new requirements for plating aluminum tubes
(Table 1). Removed salt spray test usage (3.8.1). Eliminated Dubpernell test for
discontinuous chrome measurement and increased active sites pore density requirement
(3.6), added additional criteria for corrosion performance assessment (3.8.1), allowed use
of lighter load to measure thin nickel layer hardness (3.8.2.2), and added reference to
plater approval process (6). (Finishes and Coatings GSSLT)
3 FEB 2011  Section 1.1: Added GMW15613 reference for plating of stainless steel substrates.
 Paragraph 2.1: Added ISO 4516.
 Paragraph 2.2: Added GMW15613.
 Paragraph 3.2: Changed hardness HV values.
 Paragraph 3.3.1: Added section on plating thickness measurement mapping and
measurement points. Table 1: Plating Thickness Requirements: Moved table from
Appendix to main body of specification. Lowered Class A steel material minimum total
thickness from “40 m” to “30 m”. Lowered Class B Steel material minimum total
thickness from “35 m” to “30 m”, and increased Class B steel material minimum
nickel thickness from “20 m” to “30 m”. Increased Class B zinc material minimum
Nickel thickness from “20 m” to” 25 m; increased Class B copper material minimum
nickel thickness from “20 m” to “25 m”. Changed optional copper requirement for
steel substrate on Class A, B, and C plating finishes to “N/A”. Added magnesium
material minimum plating thickness requirements.
 Paragraph 3.3.2 Table 2: Nickel Thickness Requirements: Added Class B
requirements to the Quad Layer. Increased bottom (semi-bright) layer‟s quad layer
requirements from “50 to 70%” to “60 to 80%”. Changed top (bright) layer‟s quad layer
requirements from “≥ 30%” to “20 to 40%”.
 Paragraph 3.3.3. Table 3: Nickel Electrochemical Potential Requirements: Changed
high-sulfur to bright layer requirements to “≥ 15mV” from “15 to 40 mV”.
 Paragraph 3.3.5, Table 4: Discontinuous Chromium Requirements: Decreased
microporous requirements from “> 10000 pores/cm2” to „”> 5000 pores/ cm2”;
increased minimum microcracked requirements from “250 cracks/cm” to
“300 cracks/cm”.
 Paragraph 3.3.6, Plating of Aluminum and Magnesium: Added first paragraph.
 Added paragraph 3.4.3. Added specification ISO 4516 for hardness testing of semi-
bright and bright nickel hardness for exterior Class A.
 Paragraph 3.4.6: Thermal shock test was tabulated. Added magnesium‟s temperature
requirements.
 Paragraph 3.4.7: Tabulated minimum corrosion resistance requirements.
 Paragraph 3.4.8: Added exhaust gas condensate corrosion test requirements.
 Revised paragraph 3.5. Added sections on PPAP testing and quality control testing,
paragraph 3.5.2.1 Level 1 and paragraph 3.5.2.2 Level 2 testing.
 Added Table 7, Required Test Frequency table, Interior and Exterior requirements for
PPAP and quality control level 1 and quality control level 2 requirements.
 Added paragraph 3.5.3 on inspections and rejections.
 Added Appendix B. Added Tables B1, B2, B3 and B4 – Test Data forms for steel,
zinc, copper, and aluminum and magnesium substrates, respectively.
 Updated Figure A1 to reflect new nickel electrochemical potentials. (Finishes and
Coatings GSSLT)

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Appendix A

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Figure A1: Example STEP Chart, Desirable Step/Thickness for Multiple-Layer Nickel Coating

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Figure A2: Pore Density Charts (1 mm X 1 mm)

Applicable to Both Active Sites and Copper Deposition Evaluation Methods

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 GM WORLDWIDE ENGINEERING STANDARDS GMW14672

Appendix B

Table B1: Test Data Form for Steel Substrates (Example)

Region: Plater: Facility:
Substrate: Material Supplier: Finish:
Part Name: Part #: Lab:
Date: Tested by (Print & Sign): Phone #:
Sample Sample Sample Sample Sample Sample
Section Test Spec Requirement
1 2 3 4 5 6
Plating Thickness
Identify Var Used A (Ext.+) B (Ext.) C (Interior)
Total 45 or 30 45 or 30 13
Chrome (mp) 0.25 to 0.50 0.25 to 0.50 0.25
ISO1463, ISO2177,
3.4.1 Chrome (mc) 0.8 0.8 0.8
ISO3497
Copper 20 or N/A 20 or N/A 5 or N/A
Total Nickel 25 or 30 25 or 30 8 or 13
Identify # of Layers Used B, SB, MP, HiS B, SB, MP B
Nickel Layer Thickness Note 1
Single Layer Triple Layer Quad Layer
Type of Nickel
(Class C) (Class B) (Class A or B)
Microporous Nickel n/a Required Required
3.4.1 ISO 2177
Bright Nickel 100% 20 to 40% 20 to 40%
High-Sulfur Nickel n/a n/a Required
Semibright Nickel n/a 60 to 80% 60 to 80%
Nickel Electrochemical Potential (multiple-layer Nickel systems only)
Microporous to Bright Microporous cathodic to Bright 10 to 40mV

3.4.2 Bright to Semibright ASTM B764 Bright anodic to Semibright 100 to 200mV

High-Sulfur to Bright High Sulfur anodic to Bright ≥ 15mV

Nickel Hardness and Ductility

Bright Ni ISO 4516 Should be <550 N/A N/A

3.4.3

Semibright Ni ISO 4516 Shall be <460 N/A N/A

Discontinous Chrome

Microporous (Active Sites) ASTM B456 > 5000 pores/cm2

3.4.4
Appendix, X5
Microcracked 300 to 800 cracks/cm
Adhesion
ASTM B571, GMW No lifting of electroplate from substrate, no
3.4.5 Saw Grind
14829 separation between plated layers

3.4.6 Thermal Shock GMW14672 No blistering or flaking of coating after immersion

Corrosion Resistance
GMW14458, ASTM Free of any surface defects and free of corrosion
3.4.7 Corrosion B368/DIN 50021, on all significant surfaces at the conclusion of
GMW3286 specified number of hours

Exhaust Gas Condensate Corrosion Test

3.4.8 Corrosion
(if applicable)

Note 1: Percentage of total Nickel.

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February 2011 Page 12 of 15

--```,`,`,`,```,`,`,,,,-`-`,,`,,`,`,,`---

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Provided by IHS under license with General Motors Company Sold to:GEBR. KEMMERICH GMBH, 01922896
No reproduction or networking permitted without license from IHS Not for Resale,2012/8/21 11:40:12 GMT
 GM WORLDWIDE ENGINEERING STANDARDS GMW14672

Table B2: Test Data Form for Zinc Substrates (Example)

Region: Plater: Facility:
Substrate: Material Supplier: Finish:
Part Name: Part #: Lab:
Date: Tested by (Print & Sign): Phone #:
Sample Sample Sample Sample Sample Sample
Section Test Spec Requirement
1 2 3 4 5 6

Plating Thickness

Identify Var Used A (Ext.+) B (Ext.) C (Interior)

Total 40 35 13
Chrome (mp) 0.25 to 0.50 0.25 to 0.50 0.25
ISO 1463, ISO
3.4.1 Chrome (mc) 0.8 0.8 0.8
2177, ISO 3497
Copper 10 10 5
Total Nickel 30 25 8
Identify # of Layers Used B, SB, MP, HiS B, SB, MP B
Nickel Layer ThicknessNote 1
Single Layer Triple Layer Quad Layer

--```,`,`,`,```,`,`,,,,-`-`,,`,,`,`,,`---
Type of Nickel
(Class C) (Class B) (Class A or B)
Microporous Nickel ISO 2177 n/a Required Required
3.4.1
Bright Nickel 100% 20 to 40% 20 to 40%
High-Sulfur Nickel n/a n/a Required
Semibright Nickel n/a 60 to 80% 60 to 80%
Nickel Electrochemical Potential (multiple-layer Nickel systems only)
Microporous to Bright Microporous cathodic to Bright 10 to 40mV

3.4.2 Bright to Semibright ASTM B764 Bright anodic to Semibright 100 to 200mV

High-Sulfur to Bright High Sulfur anodic to Bright ≥ 15mV

Nickel Hardness and Ductility

Bright Ni ISO 4516 Should be <550 N/A N/A

3.4.3

Semibright Ni ISO 4516 Shall be <460 N/A N/A

Discontinous Chrome
ASTM B456
Microporous (Active Sites) > 5000 pores/cm2
3.4.4 Appendix X5
Microcracked 300 to 800 cracks/cm
Adhesion
ASTM B571, GMW No lifting of electroplate from substrate, no
3.4.5 Saw Grind
14829 separation between plated layers

3.4.6 Thermal Shock GMW14672 No blistering or flaking of coating after immersion

Corrosion Resistance
GMW14458, ASTM Free of any surface defects and free of corrosion
3.4.7 Corrosion B368/DIN 50021, on all significant surfaces at the conclusion of
GMW3286 specified number of hours

Exhaust Gas Condensate Corrosion Test (if

3.4.8 Corrosion
applicable)

Note 1: Percentage of total Nickel.

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 GM WORLDWIDE ENGINEERING STANDARDS GMW14672

Table B3: Test Data Form for Copper Substrates (Example)

Region: Plater: Facility:
Substrate: Material Supplier: Finish:
Part Name: Part #: Lab:
Date: Tested by (Print & Sign): Phone #:
Sample Sample Sample Sample Sample Sample
Section Test Spec Requirement

--```,`,`,`,```,`,`,,,,-`-`,,`,,`,`,,`---
1 2 3 4 5 6
Plating Thickness
Identify Var Used A (Ext.+) B (Ext.) C (Interior)
Total 40 35 13
Chrome (mp) 0.25 to 0.50 0.25 to 0.50 0.25
ISO1463, ISO2177,
3.4.1 Chrome (mc) 0.8 0.8 0.8
ISO3497
Copper 10 10 5
Total Nickel 30 25 8
Identify # of Layers Used B, SB, MP, HiS B, SB, MP B
Nickel Layer Thickness Note 1
Single Layer Triple Layer Quad Layer
Type of Nickel
(Class C) (Class B) (Class A or B)
Microporous Nickel n/a Required Required
3.4.1 ISO 2177
Bright Nickel 100% 20 to 40% 20 to 40%
High-Sulfur Nickel n/a n/a Required
Semibright Nickel n/a 60 to 80% 60 to 80%
Nickel Electrochemical Potential (multiple-layer Nickel systems only)
Microporous to Bright Microporous cathodic to Bright 10 to 40mV

3.4.2 Bright to Semibright ASTM B764 Bright anodic to Semibright 100 to 200mV

High-Sulfur to Bright High Sulfur anodic to Bright ≥ 15mV

Nickel Hardness and Ductility

Bright Ni ISO 4516 Should be <550 N/A N/A

3.4.3

Semibright Ni ISO 4516 Shall be <460 N/A N/A

Discontinous Chrome

Microporous (Active Sites) ASTM B456 > 5000 pores/cm2

3.4.4
Appendix X5
Microcracked 300 to 800 cracks/cm
Adhesion
ASTM B571, GMW No lifting of electroplate from substrate, no
3.4.5 Saw Grind
14829 separation between plated layers

3.4.6 Thermal Shock GMW14672 No blistering or flaking of coating after immersion

Corrosion Resistance
GMW14458, ASTM Free of any surface defects and free of corrosion
3.4.7 Corrosion B368/DIN 50021, on all significant surfaces at the conclusion of
GMW3286 specified number of hours

Exhaust Gas Condensate Corrosion Test

3.4.8 Corrosion
(if applicable)

Note 1: Percentage of total Nickel.

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 GM WORLDWIDE ENGINEERING STANDARDS GMW14672

Table B4: Test Data Form for Aluminum and Magnesium (for interior applications only) Substrates
(Example)
Region: Plater: Facility:
Substrate: Material Supplier: Finish:
Part
Name: Part #: Lab:
Tested by (Print & Phone
Date:
Sign): #:
Sample Sample Sample Sample Sample Sample
Section Test Spec Requirement
1 2 3 4 5 6
Plating Thickness
Identify Var Used A (Ext.+) B (Ext.) C (Interior)
Total 50 50 13
Chrome (mp) 0.25 to 0.50 0.25 to 0.50 0.25
ISO1463, ISO2177,
3.4.1 Chrome (mc) 0.8 0.8 0.8
ISO3497
Copper 10 10 5
Total Nickel 40 40 8
Identify # of Layers Used B, SB, MP, HiS B, SB, MP B
Nickel Layer Thickness Note 1
Interior Exterior Triple Exterior Quad
Type of Nickel Single Layer Layer (Class Layer (Class

--```,`,`,`,```,`,`,,,,-`-`,,`,,`,`,,`---
(Class C) B) A)
3.4.1 Microporous Nickel ISO 2177 n/a Required Required
Bright Nickel 100% 20 to 40% 20 to 40%
High-Sulfur Nickel n/a n/a Required
Semibright Nickel n/a 60 to 80% 60 to 80%
Nickel Electrochemical Potential (multiple-layer Nickel systems only)
Microporous to Bright Microporous cathodic to Bright 10 to 40mV

3.4.2 Bright to Semibright ASTM B764 Bright anodic to Semibright 100 to 200mV

High-Sulfur to Bright High Sulfur anodic to Bright ≥ 15mV

Nickel Hardness and Ductility

Bright Ni ISO 4516 Should be <550 N/A N/A

3.4.3

Semibright Ni ISO 4516 Shall be <460 N/A N/A

Discontinous Chrome

Microporous (Active Sites) ASTM B456 > 5000 pores/cm2

3.4.4
Appendix X5
Microcracked 300 to 800 cracks/cm
Adhesion
ASTM B571, GMW No lifting of electroplate from substrate, no
3.4.5 Saw Grind
14829 separation between plated layers

3.4.6 Thermal Shock GMW14672 No blistering or flaking of coating after immersion

Corrosion Resistance
GMW14458, ASTM Free of any surface defects and free of corrosion
3.4.7 Corrosion B368/DIN 50021, on all significant surfaces at the conclusion of
GMW3286 specified number of hours

Exhaust Gas Condensate Corrosion Test (if

3.4.8 Corrosion
applicable)

Corrosion Resistant Coating

Supplemental secondary
Note 5 in GMW14672 Present Present N/A
surface coating Note2
Table 1
Note 1: Percentage of total Nickel
Note 2: Unless otherwise specified on drawing

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Copyright GM Worldwide
Provided by IHS under license with General Motors Company Sold to:GEBR. KEMMERICH GMBH, 01922896
No reproduction or networking permitted without license from IHS Not for Resale,2012/8/21 11:40:12 GMT