Tesla announced its most awaited electric pickup “Cybertruck” in 2019. This electric pickup truck has really a futuristic, angular design that makes a robust look of it. Not only in looking, but it is also really a very robust car. This is possible by the use of ultra-strong armoured glass and ultra-hard 30X cold rolled stainless steel.
As per Tesla’s plan, they are using Ultra-hard 30X Cold Rolled stainless steel for Cybertruck’s exoskeleton. This alloy enables to eliminate the dents, damage and corrosion. This ultra-hard steel will provide maximum protection to passengers inside the pickup truck. Tesla submitted a patent application for ultra-hard stainless steel to protect their intellectual property and prevent others from copying their design.
The manufacturer claims that this new alloy is better than the other steel alloy. And they developed this alloy themselves. In the Patent application, Tesla noted…
In some embodiments, at least one exterior panel and/or body of the vehicle comprises the steel alloy. In some embodiments, the vehicle architecture is designed such that the exterior panels of the vehicle also contribute to the vehicle’s structural performance, wherein such exterior paneling of a vehicle may be referred to as an “exoskeleton.” In some embodiments, the exterior panel is or is formed from a monolithic metal sheet of the steel alloy. In some embodiments, the corrosion resistance of the monolithic metal sheet allows for the exterior panel of the vehicle to be utilized without application of an anticorrosion coating or corrosion protective agent (e.g. paint). In some embodiments, an exterior surface of the exterior panel does not comprise paint.
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Tesla also shared some technical specifications of the Ultra-Hard 30X cold-rolled stainless steel
In one aspect, a steel alloy composition is described. The composition includes Fe, a hardness is at least about 400 HV, and an Epit-Eocp corrosion resistance of at least about 500 mV in a 3 wt% sodium chloride aqueous solution.
In some embodiments, the hardness is about 420 HV to about 500 HV. In some embodiments, the Epit-Eocp corrosion resistance is about 520 mV to about 800 mV. In some embodiments, the Epit-Eocp corrosion resistance is about 520 mV to about 600 mV. In some embodiments, the composition has a yield strength of at least about 1100 MPa. In some embodiments, the composition has a ductility of at least about 60° bend angle at 1.8mm thickness. In some embodiments, martensite formation begins at about 260 K to about 340 K. In some embodiments, martensite formation begins at about 260 K to about 320 K. In some embodiments, the composition has at least about 12 vol% martensite. In some embodiments, the composition has a yield strength of at least about 1100 MPa.
Looking forward for more such interesting blogs.
Just had one question to ask. What is the meaning of “monolithic” metal sheet? (As described in first citation of patent application)
Hi Madhav,
Thank you for your comment.
I would like to answer your question here.
“Monolithic” metal sheet refers to a single, uniform, and solid piece of metal.
This solid piece having no joints, seams or welds throughout its entire thickness, that would weaken its strength.
Monolithic sheets are used in Automobile, aerospace, construction and electronic industries.
Okay.