D0107 [2013-N]

Nissan Engineering Standard

NES Characteristic of Car Body Spot Welds

1. SCOPE
This Standard applies to critical areas (Important-A), important areas (Important-B) and general areas in
spot welding on the steel body panel and aluminum (or aluminum alloy) body panel of the automobiles.
However, the standard does not apply to tack welding for the body assembly.

2. REQUIRED CHARACTERISTIC CLASSIFICATION

Required characteristic classifications are listed in Table 1 below.
Table 1
Classification Summary Symbol
Important-A characteristic Important-A areas characteristics required

Important-B characteristic Important-B areas characteristics required

General characteristic General areas characteristics required ―

3. REQUIRED CHARACTERISTICS
Vehicle body spot-weld area quality requirements are listed in Table 2 below.
Table 2
Classification
Item Characteristic value Important-A Important-B General
characteristics characteristics characteristics
Spot-weld nugget diameter for manufactured parts or
test pieces must fully satisfy the nugget diameter
Spot-weld nugget
minimum values listed in Appended Reference
3-1 diameter. Refer to
Attached Table 1, 2 or 3. Refer to item (3).
O O
item (1).
Spot-weld protrusions listed in Item 3.6 of this Table
are excluded.
Prepare the welding equipment that can satisfy the
Welding equipment
3-2
installation requisites
minimum nugget diameter values shown on Attached O O O
Table 1, 2 or 3 with the product or the test piece.
Use the on-site test method specified in NES M 0115
to confirm that it shall meet the requirement 4.1.2 (1)
3-3 Welding conditions chisel test (1) Nondestructive chisel test in welding O O O
confirmation excluding after-hem spot. Refer to item
(4).
Use the on-site test method 4.1.1 specified in NES M
0115 to check the spot-weld appearance.
There must be free from blemishes or cracks which
appearance

1. Cracking or
Spot-weld

pitting
completely cross over the spot-weld dimple. O O O
3-4 Pit diameter must not exceed Φ1.5 mm.
However, penetrating crack and pit are not permitted
around the water-tight area.
The visible and semi-visible welded areas must be
2. Burrs
completely free of burrs.
O O O
The spot point location shall be indicated on
drawings.
Spot point position tolerance shall be ±10 mm or
Spot-weld position. less.
O
3-5
Refer to item (2). However, more precise tolerances are indicated in
the drawing and must be carefully followed.
Spot-weld position tolerances must be within ±10 mm
where Spot-weld positions are shown in the drawing.
O O
No protrusion from the plate edge. Refer to item (5). O
The protrusion point ratio must be less than 20% of
3-6 Plate edge protrusion the important area spot-weld position areas shown in
the drawing. The protruding spot weld positions must
O
not be continuously. Refer to item (6).

Normative References and References: See page 6.

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 D0107 [2013-N]
(1) Spot-weld nugget diameter is major axis b and minor axis a average value.
Figure 1

a+b
Nugget diameter: DN =
2

(2) Spot-weld position direction method and the tolerance in case dimensional indications are mentioned.

Figure 2
Tolerance ±10 mm

Part edge or
Position marks

Spot-weld center Part edge or

Position marks
Note: Determine the dimension with using part edge or position marks, but not from the numbered line.
(This is because it will be difficult to inspect and measure the dimensional accuracy.)
(3) The test methods shall be conducted in accordance with NES M 0120 (Microscopic Test Method for Weld Zone)
or Item 4.1.2 Nugget Diameter Measurement Method for Weld Inspections in NES M 0115 ≥ (Routine Test of
Welds).
If the nugget diameter is not checked, the product or the test piece shall satisfy the minimum value of the tension
shear load shown in Attached Table 1 or 2. NES M 0112 (Method of Shearing Test for Lap Joint Welded) shall be
used for this check.

(4) To check deposition, appropriate sampling tests may be acceptable if current of welding facilities and gun
pressure variation are controlled. In addition, data on the amount of plate thickness expansion and change of the
resistance, etc., can be substituted for the non-destructive chisel test for the welding confirmation method. If these
items cannot be controlled on the welding facilities, (1) Chisel test <1> Nondestructive chisel test in 4.1.2 Welding
confirmation in NES M 0115 (Routine Test of Welds) shall be performed for all pieces.
(5) Spot nuggets must be within the board edges. Refer to Figure 3.
Figure 3

(6) Protruding spot-weld evaluation is as specified in Figure 4.

Figure 4

< Standard
diameter
nugget

Protruding spot-weld

Standard nugget
diameter
Non-protruding spot-weld

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 D0107 [2013-N]
4. DRAWING NOTATIONS
General characteristics are described in the notes included with the drawing. This content is shown below.
[Spot-weld and Spot-welds quality shall satisfy NES D 0107.]
Mention in a drawing as reference information when the spot-welds are in the external areas, the
quasi-external areas (that can be seen when a door or a trunk are opened) and the seal surface areas.
(For reference, see example 4 below.)

Example-1 Important A area Example-2 Important B area

Example-3 If the drawing indications are extremely complex, the indication method Example-2 can be used
in Important B area. (Example 1 can not be used for specified Important A area.)

(Two spots)
(Two spots)

Example 4

Note: Indicate the part requiring a smooth welding zone either above or below the __ welding symbol as
shown above.

5. MODIFICATION METHOD
It will be necessary to re-spot-weld, if the characteristics required are not satisfied according to 3-3
Welding conditions of 3. REQUIRED CHARACTERISTICS are not satisfied. When spot-welding is
impossible, modification methods based on plug welding will be acceptable. If the modifications on
Important A Area and plug welding cannot be performed, an agreement shall be reached between the
responsible Design Department and the Production Department.

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 D0107 [2013-N]
<Attached Table 1> Pass-fail judgements criteria (steel, 980 Mpa or less) of spot-welding

Nugget diameter (mm) Tension shear load (kN)

Thickness (mm)
Minimum value Average value Minimum value Average value
0.4 2.7 3.2 1.03 1.23
0.5 3.0 3.5 1.47 1.72
0.6 3.3 3.9 1.91 2.26
0.7 3.6 4.2 2.45 2.89
0.8 3.8 4.5 2.99 3.53
0.9 4.0 4.7 3.58 4.17
1.0 4.3 5.0 4.17 4.90
1.2 4.7 5.5 5.49 6.42
1.4 5.0 5.9 6.91 8.14
1.5 5.2 6.1 7.65 9.02
1.6 5.4 6.3 8.43 9.91
1.8 5.7 6.7 10.1 11.9
2.0 6.0 7.1 11.8 13.8
2.3 6.4 7.6 14.5 17.1
2.5 6.7 7.9 16.5 19.4
2.6 6.9 8.1 17.5 20.6
2.8 7.1 8.4 19.5 22.9
3.0 7.4 8.7 21.7 25.5
3.2 7.6 8.9 23.8 28.0
3.6 8.1 9.5 28.4 33.4
3.8 8.3 9.7 30.9 36.3
4.0 8.5 10.0 33.3 39.2
4.5 9.0 10.6 39.8 46.8
5.0 9.5 11.2 46.6 54.8

Note)
1) This table is an excerpt from JIS Z 3140 (Method of inspection for spot-weld); it is the judgements
criteria of Grades A and AF.
2) To check the tension shear load for pass-fail judgements, the above values in the table shall be
used for the base metal strength of 270 to 370 MPa. The above values shall be multiplied by the
base metal strength × 8/3,000 for the base metal strength of 370 to 590 MPa. The above values in
the table shall be multiplied by 1.6 for the base metal strength exceeding 590 MPa.
3) When checking the nugget diameter for pass-fail judgements when joining a stack of plates of
different thickness, these specifications will apply to the plate with the smallest thickness.
4) When checking the tension shear load for pass-fail judgements when joining a stack of plates of
different thickness or plates of different strengths, these specifications will apply to the plate with the
smallest thickness or the lowest strength.
5) 1.2 GPa shall be based on the Attached Table 3.

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 D0107 [2013-N]
<Attached Table 2> Pass-fail judgements criteria of spot welding (on aluminum and aluminum alloy)

Nugget diameter (mm) Tension shear load (kN)

Thickness (mm)
Minimum value Average value Minimum value Average value
0.4 2.5 3.2 0.25 0.38
0.5 2.8 3.5 0.30 0.48
0.6 3.1 3.9 0.37 0.58
0.7 3.3 4.2 0.43 0.68
0.8 3.6 4.5 0.49 0.78
0.9 3.8 4.7 0.56 0.86
1.0 4.0 5.0 0.62 0.96
1.2 4.4 5.5 0.74 1.16
1.4 4.7 5.9 0.86 1.34
1.5 4.9 6.1 0.92 1.44
1.6 5.1 6.3 0.99 1.54
1.8 5.4 6.7 1.11 1.74
2.0 5.7 7.1 1.24 1.92
2.3 6.1 7.6 1.42 2.22
2.5 6.3 7.9 1.54 2.40
2.6 6.4 8.1 1.60 2.50
2.8 6.7 8.4 1.73 2.70
3.0 6.9 8.7 1.84 2.89
3.2 7.2 8.9 1.97 3.08
3.6 7.6 9.5 2.22 3.46
3.8 7.8 9.7 2.34 3.66
4.0 8.0 10.0 2.46 3.85
4.5 8.5 10.6 2.78 4.34
5.0 9.0 11.2 3.08 4.82

Note)
1) This table is an excerpt from JIS Z 3140 (Method of inspection for spot weld); it is the judgement
criteria of Grades A and AF.
2) To check the tension shear load for pass-fail judgements, the above values in the table shall be
used for the base metal strength of 100 MPa. The above values shall be multiplied by the base
metal strength × 1/100 for the base metal strength except for 100 MPa at grade 0 (H112 or F if 0 is
not specified).
3) When checking the nugget diameter for pass-fail judgements when joining a stack of plates of
different thickness, these specifications will apply to the plate with the smallest thickness.
4) When checking the tension shear load for pass-fail judgements when joining a stack of plates of
different thickness or plates of different strengths, these specifications will apply to the plate with the
smallest thickness or the lowest strength.

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 D0107 [2013-N]
<Attached Table 3> Pass-fail judgements criteria of spot welding (In case the steel and 1.2 Gpa
(RP154-1180 material) are included)

Thickness Nugget diameter (mm) Tension shear load (kN)

(mm) * Minimum value Average value Minimum value Average value
1.0 5.0 6.0 6.67 8.00
1.2 5.5 6.6 8.78 10.54
1.4 5.9 7.1 11.10 13.32
1.5 6.1 7.3 12.20 14.64
1.6 6.3 7.6 13.50 16.20
* Upper and lower limits of specified thickness shall be based on the range of t1.0-t1.6 which can be
purchased as indicated in NES M2032.

Note)
1) This table is the judgement criteria of Grades A and AF from JIS Z 3140.
2) For pass-fail judgements criteria of spot welding, this table is applied in case of the 1.2 GPa
material becomes the plate with the smallest thickness. In all other cases are based on the
Attached Table 1.
3) When checking the nugget diameter for pass-fail judgements when joining a stack of plates of
different thickness, these specifications will apply to the plate with the smallest thickness. In this
case, nugget diameter shall be 5.0 t regardless of 2 plates or 3 plates.
4) When checking the tension shear load for pass-fail judgements when joining a stack of plates of
different thickness or plates of different strengths, these specifications will apply to the plate with the
smallest thickness or the lowest strength.

Normative References: NES M 0109-03 General Rules of Testing Method for Welds
NES M 0112-02 Method of Shearing Test for Lap Joint Welded
NES M 0115-01 Routine Test of Welds
NES M 0120-03 Microscopic Test Method for Weld Zone
References: NES D 0010-03 Symbolic Representation of Welds
NES D 0106-93 Indications on Drawings of Important-A and Important-B
Parts & Areas
JIS Z 3140-89 Method of inspection for spot weld

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 D0107 [2013-N]
Drawing Preparation Example (For Reference)

VISIBLE PART
(SEMI-VISIBLE PART)
(SEAL SURFACE)

(Two spots)

(5)

(Two spots)

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 D0107 [2013-N]
Annex
1. Revision objectives
This NES was revised in 1999 and since 5 years have elapsed, this standard has been reviewed for consistency with
other reference standards. Also, unclear descriptions have been made clear accordingly.

2. Revision history

Establishment in 1994

1) Establishment objectives
For the important-A and important-B characteristics of vehicle body spot welds, the quality had traditionally been
guaranteed in accordance with the control standards stipulated in the manufacturing department. This time,
required information among these has been established as a standard of the important-A and important-B
characteristics.

2) Base and reason for the establishment

(1) The wording of “Securely welded” in the important-B characteristics, the word of “securely…” is ambiguous
and not necessarily an appropriate wording.
(2) There are requests from overseas development bases for the review of this wording.
(3) Current Nissan plants establish the quality control standards of the vehicle body spot welds, confirmation of
nugget diameter and welding condition checks are performed, and required items among these have been
established as a NES standard of the important-A and important-B characteristics.

3) Major revision points

(1) Required characteristics and confirmation method of spot nugget diameter have been specified.
(2) The confirmation of welding conditions in accordance with NES M 0115 has been specified as the
confirmation of required characteristics.
(3) For the appearance of spot welds, either cracking or pitting that affects strength has been specified.
Required characteristics are quoted from JIS Z 3140-89.
(4) The standards of positional tolerance and protrusion of spot welds have also been established.

First revision in 1997

1) Purpose and main contents of this revision

At the time of establishing this NES, only important-A and important-B characteristics were established, and
general characteristics were needed to be indicated in the drawing which was complicated. Therefore, the
general characteristics have been indicated in this NES and unified into the required characteristics of spot
welding. There have been no changes to the characteristic value itself at this revision. Also, the example of
drawing descriptions has been added for reference.

Second revision in 1998

1) Purpose and main contents of this revision

Pass-fail judgement criteria for spot welding have been indicated in NES M 0109 for reference. However by
setting the judgement criteria for this NES which indicates the required characteristics of spot welding, change
and addition have been made to eliminate the complexity of the work. In response to the above, scope
descriptions have been changed. Also, if the welding condition confirmation shows unwelded condition,
modifications shall be accepted, and the indication of modification method has also been added.

Third revision in 2004

1) Purpose and main contents of this revision

This revision has clarified the unclear descriptions and corrects the errors.

Fourth revision in 2013

1) Purpose and main contents of this revision

This revision has added the required characteristics of the spot welding using the 1.2 GPa material.

3. Major revision points

For the spot welding position of the areas of important-A characteristics, it has been specified for the dimensions to be
indicated in the drawing.

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