COdogman
Well-Known Member
https://jalopnik.com/theres-a-reason-most-car-companies-dont-use-stainless-s-1850082421There's a Reason Most Car Companies Don't Use Stainless Steel
Tesla has promised customers a Cybertruck since 2019. Here's why the very design of the vehicle may put those plans in jeopardy.
Yes, it looks cool and tough and futuristic, but it’s really not the best stuff to make cars out of, as the New York Times pointed out Monday. There are several good reasons you don’t tend to see many factory-produced stainless steel models (beside everyone’s favorite short-lived time machine, the DeLorean) for a very good reason:
Stainless steel costs more than the steel used in most automobiles because it contains chromium and often other ingredients, like nickel and molybdenum, that are in high demand. Stainless steel’s tendency to spring back to its original shape means it cannot be stamped into fenders and other parts as easily as the more pliable steel used by most automakers. It also requires special welding techniques.
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Tesla has shared virtually no details about how it will overcome the challenges of working with stainless steel, which include safety. The steel used in most cars is designed to crumple in a crash, absorbing energy and protecting passengers. Stainless steel does not crumple as easily, exposing passengers to more of the force from impact.
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