ENGINEERING Material Specification

GM6173M
STANDARDS Metals

Corrosion Protective Coatings Zinc, Aluminum/Inorganic Type

Scheduled for Deletion. Don’t Use on New Designs

1 Scope 2 References
This standard covers the basic requirements for a Note: Only the latest approved standards are
chromium-free corrosion protective coating sys- applicable unless otherwise specified.
tem which is derived from the application of a 2.1 External Standards/Specifications.
water base solution containing uniformly dis- ASTM D499 SAE/UCAR-1
persed zinc and aluminum platelets or flakes and
ASTM D568
proprietary inorganic materials. The coating can
be top coated with a water base sealer com- 2.2 GM Standards/Specifications.
pound to provide specific torque-tension proper- GM4298P GM9540P
ties. The sealer may be clear or colored. (black, GM9064P GMW3001
blue, green, etc). Colors other than black how-
GM9071P GMW3059
ever are for identification purposes only. Parts top
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coated with clear sealer shall have a bright metal-

lic silver appearance. Parts to be top coated with 3 Requirements
a color pigmented sealer shall be specified (Ex- 3.1 Appearance. The coating shall have a uni-
ample, GM6173M black). form appearance free from tears and other dis-
1.1 These coatings are especially suitable for continuities.
externally and internally threaded and non- 3.2 Coating Weight and Thickness. The coating
threaded ferrous parts which are not adversely shall not adversely affect the function of the spe-
affected by baking temperatures in the range of cific part nor shall the coating in threads of
290 to 325°C. Hydrogen embrittlement is not in- threaded parts have an adverse effect on normal
duced by this coating process. This finish is suit- installation and removal practices.
able for spring or other high hardness applica- Note: The maximum thickness of coating which
tions. may be applied to threads on threaded products
1.2 This coating system shall be completely free is limited by the basic thread size. Where greater
of hex chrome. The final product shall conform to thickness is necessary to meet the requirements
the requirements of GMW3059. All the approved of this specification, threads may be produced
sources listed in MATSPC database (refer sec- undersized (before coating) to accommodate the
tion 6 Approved Sources) shall be hex chrome greater thickness, provided the finished product
free by July 2005. (after coating) meets all specified mechanical
1.3 This specification is intended for use on carry properties when tested with a nut (on opposite
over parts only. Contact Materials Engineering fastener) in the upper half of the dimensional lim-
before using this specification on any new de- its of the nut. Where mechanical properties are
signs. not specified, undersizing is subject to approval
1.4 Use of this finish on a threaded surface by engineering.
and/or on the bearing surface of joints could af- 3.2.1 Coating thickness on nonthreaded parts
fect the torque-tension relationship. It is recom- shall be minimum basecoat of 8.0 µm
mended that a torque-tension study of the fas- (≅ 25 g/m2 ) and a maximum basecoat 12.0 µm
tener joint be performed before releasing this fin- (≅ 40 g/m2 ) as measured by magnetic induction
ish on a new application. (ASTM B499) or x-ray fluorescence (ASTM
B568).
Note: A minimum of three readings per part shall
be averaged and monitored by spec.

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 GM6173M GM ENGINEERING STANDARDS

3.3 Unless otherwise agreed, the coating on parts 3.4.6 Accelerated Corrosion. Coated parts shall
finished under this specification shall be applied be accelerated corrosion tested to failure per
by either one of three methods: GM9540P for initial approval of finish material,
a. Dip-Spin Method. applicator and PPAP submissions.
b. Dip-Drain Method. Note: The coating to this specification shall be
c. Spray Method. exposed per GM9540P, test duration 16 cycles.
After exposure, there shall be no red rust on sig-
If the pigmented sealer is used, two coats may be nificant surfaces.
used to achieve a satisfactory appearance.
3.5 Flexibility and Chip Resistance. Coating
3.4 Corrosion Resistance. Parts coated to this shall withstand the normal extension and com-
specification shall be capable of withstanding pression of springs and the normal flexing
neutral salt spray (NSS) testing per GM4298P for encountered by spring clips during assembly in
a minimum of 480 h with no red rust on significant the end product, without evidence of flaking or
surfaces (3.4.4 and 3.4.5). loss of adhesion to base metal. Also, it shall
The corrosion testing of the threaded fasteners withstand normal handling and storage conditions
must follow the procedures as outlined in without chipping, flaking or other coating damage.
SAE/USCAR1. 3.6 Adhesion Characteristics. Parts coated to
3.4.1 For normal production process, NSS test these specifications shall show no evidence of
shall be part of applicator’s statistical process blistering or other appearance changes after 96 h
control to ensure that the parts meet the corro- exposure to humidity testing. Parts shall show no
sion resistance requirements. more than 3.0 mm total peel back from the inter-
3.4.2 A periodic NSS test of the parts being proc- section of scribed lines when tape tested after a
essed on each line running this coating shall be 10 minute recovery period following exposure per
conducted using sample size of three pieces GM9071P. No other peeling under the tape is
minimum per line per shift. permitted, a minimum sample size of three shall
3.4.3 Parts must be NSS tested per GM4298P or be used for this test.
SAE/USCAR1 to meet the corrosion resistance Note: This test is not applicable to fasteners and
requirements on significant surfaces per 3.4 for springs. Where applicable, this test is required for
initial approval of the finish, applicators and initial approval of finish and for PPAP submission
PPAP submissions. NSS test need not to be and yearly thereafter.
completed prior to shipment of parts. 3.7 Torque-Tension Requirements. Machined
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3.4.4 Significant surfaces for test evaluation of threaded fasteners M6 and larger shall be subject
fasteners shall be all exposed surfaces of the to torque-tension monitoring through the use of
fastener when installed , including but not limited surrogate M10 x 1.5 test bolts. Ten (10) surrogate
to, fastener head, socket recess, sems washer bolts shall be processed with the production
and external surface of nuts. Fastener threads parts. A minimum of one set of ten bolts per finish
and point are excluded unless otherwise speci- line per shift shall be monitored per GM9064P.
fied on drawings. The six sigma torque-range must be within the
3.4.5 Significant surfaces on parts other than listed range (see Table 1). Test results shall be
threaded fasteners shall be all surfaces. Deep maintained in file to be submitted when required
recesses, such as blind holes and the interior of by GM.
tubes are excluded unless otherwise specified on
drawing.
Table 1: Torque Tension
Thread Surrogate Bolt Test Nut Test Washer Torque Tension
Size Part Number Part Number Part Number (N-m) (kN)
M10 X 1.5 11516105 11516090 11502644 46-66 28.3

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Copyright General Motors North America
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 GM ENGINEERING STANDARDS GM6173M

4 Manufacturing Process 7 Coding System

Not applicable. This material specification shall be referenced in
other documents, drawings, VTS, CTS, etc. as
5 Rules and Regulations follows:
5.1 All materials supplied to this specification Material per GM6173M
must comply with the requirements of GMW3001,
Rules and Regulations for Material Specifica- 8 Release and Revisions
tions. 8.1 Release. This standard was issued in
5.2 All materials supplied to this specification September 1975.
must comply with the requirements of GMW3059, 8.2 Revisions
Restricted and Reportable Substances for
Parts. Rev Approval Description (Organization)
Date
6 Approved Sources H JUN 2001 Added 1.2 and 1.3 and re-

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Engineering qualifications of an approved source vised 3.5 and Table 1.
is required for this specification. Only sources (GMNA)
listed in the GM Materials File (i.e., MATSPC)
J DEC 2004 Revised sections1, 1.1, 1.2,
under this specification number have been quali-
1.3,3.2.1, 3.4.4 and 3.4.5
fied by engineering as meeting the requirements
(GMNA)
of this specification.

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December 2004 Page 3 of 3

Copyright General Motors North America
Reproduced by IHS under license with GM Sold to:PANAMERICANA DO BRASIL, 01485925
No reproduction or networking permitted without license from IHS Not for Resale,2005/2/10 19:38:10 GMT