Who knew stainless steel might not be such a good idea for the exterior of an electric SUV? The entire automotive industry, that’s who.

This Is Why Tesla’s Stainless Steel Cybertrucks May Be Rusting::Who knew stainless steel might not be such a good idea for the exterior of an electric SUV? The entire automotive industry, that’s who.

  • nxdefiant@startrek.websiteEnglish
    445·
    9 months ago

    DeLorean is 304 Stainless. Cyber truck is 30? stainless. As in Tesla doesn’t want to say, which is why they write it “30X”.

    given how hard the steel is purported to be, it’s likely a variant of 304N, instead of 304 or 304L. (basic stainless like in commercial kitchen equipment and 18/10 stainless, like in high end cooking pans). 304N is harder to work with cold due to it’s hardness and gets harder when worked, both properties Tesla has reported as belonging to the cybertruck’s steel. 304N is considered a marine grade stainless steel.

    There have been a lot of developments in stainless steel production in the 40ish years since the DeLorean came out, so I highly doubt it’s the same steel.

    • Pulptastic@midwest.socialEnglish
      18·
      9 months ago

      304N is not marine grade. It is 304 with a little extra nitrogen for hardness.

      Marine grade steels have molybdenum for chloride resistance like 316L.

    • grue@lemmy.worldEnglish
      11·
      9 months ago

      There have been a lot of developments in stainless steel production in the 40ish years since the DeLorean came out, so I highly doubt it’s the same steel.

      Which makes the fact that DeLorean managed to get it right but Tesla couldn’t all the more embarrassing.

      • nxdefiant@startrek.websiteEnglish
        84·
        9 months ago

        That’s what I’m trying to get across, it’s very unlikely Tesla got it wrong. Bare stainless will eventually rust, but not in a few days of freshwater rain, sheesh.

    • Siegfried@lemmy.worldEnglish
      5·
      9 months ago

      300 are all austenitic*, they could have been heating it or either working it too much and sensitized it, both lowering its strength and its corrosion resistance

      • nxdefiant@startrek.websiteEnglish
        1·
        9 months ago

        Heh, even more reason to never buy version 1. I doubt they’re doing anything but pulling steel off a roll, cutting it, stamping it, and spot welding a reinforcing piece to the back.

      • nxdefiant@startrek.websiteEnglish
        62·
        9 months ago

        Eventually, yes. Especially around salt. Not in 2 days though. Maybe take the trash click bait article with some of that salt.

        I’d love to see someone sacrifice a body panel and do a 3.5% salt solution test like knifenerd does.