- cross-posted to:
- technology@beehaw.org
- cross-posted to:
- technology@beehaw.org
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.
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.
Which makes the fact that DeLorean managed to get it right but Tesla couldn’t all the more embarrassing.
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.
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.
I was going to say that. 304 is the cheap “marine grade” sold at the hardware store that will rust. 316 is sold at the Chandelry and won’t rust.
To put it another way, 304 is freshwater stainless, 316 is ocean grade.
Does marine grade stainless rust in the rain?
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.