IDRA 9000 Ton Aluminum Press material concerns with Cybertruck Stainless Steel Material

AZCYBER

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The 6,000-ton die-casting machine currently being used for Model Y/3 is using aluminum for its casting.

My concern, hopefully, yours too, the 8,000-ton die-casting machine schedule to be used for the Cybertruck is also using aluminum for its castings.

The main concern is, aluminum and stainless steel parts will be assembled together.
You shouldn't use Stainless Steel and Aluminum Together - it causes Galvanic Corrosion.

(
Galvanic corrosion is the transfer of electrons from one material (anode) to another (cathode).

  • Anode – material that is positively charged, electrons leave this material
  • Cathode – material that is negatively charged, electrons enter this material
  • Electrolyte – liquid that aids in the process of electron transfer
  • Corrosion/corrode – Destroy or weaken metal gradually

Galvanic corrosion occurs when two materials (an anode and a cathode) come into contact with each other and an electrolyte. Electrolytes can be environmental factors such as humidity or rainwater. When these factors come into play, electron transfer will begin to occur. Depending on the level of resistance in an electrolyte, this transfer can happen much faster. This is why saltwater, an electrolyte with very low resistance, is a common factor when considering what product to use. Due to this, it is incredibly important to consider what material you are going to use in an environment. When working with a marine, saltwater environment, you even need to consider the type of stainless steel you are using.

There are multiple kinds of rust that can occur during the oxidization process.

How Can Galvanic Corrosion be stopped?
There are a few steps you can take if you MUST use these materials together.

  1. Add an insulator between the two materials so they no longer connect. Without that connection, the transfer of electrons cannot occur. Well Nuts are a commonly used fastener to help separate materials that can suffer from galvanic corrosion.
  2. Use materials with the same potential. Metals with the same corrosion resistance are typically ok to use together.
  3. If you are in a situation where only one of the materials will come into contact with an electrolyte then the transfer of electrons will not occur.
  4. If there is a coating on the cathode it can prevent the transfer through increased resistance.
  5. Consider your environment before installing. Choose materials that will work for your environment.
  6. Coat or paint your assembly (completely) so that the electrolyte cannot make contact with the materials
  7. Use neoprene EPDM or bonding washers as a barrier in between the metals.
Just an FYI, for the engineers/production staff, to perform during the manufacture of this product.


source
Surely Tesla has a few chemical engineers or materials scientists. After all they are making batteries. Much has been written about cathodic protection (underground pipelines/tanks) and sacrificial anodes (water heaters). Bolt a few ounces of magnesium to "all the right places." The magnesium will corrode before the aluminum. Inspect annually. Replace as needed.
Sponsored

 

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Tesla already mixes steel and aluminum in their vehicles.

-Crissa
Every manufacturer does. The Stainless is just less likely to react.
 


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The Lucid Air BIW is joined together using rivets, structural adhesive and 2 welds. Will the Cybertruck be similar? I believe so because if you TIG weld SS it will show discoloration from being heated from the welding process.

Tesla Cybertruck IDRA 9000 Ton Aluminum Press material concerns with Cybertruck Stainless Steel Material 4A537C4D-06AF-4DDE-8ADB-C92F923A5DFB


“There are also jars showcasing the strength in simplicity by assembling the body in white using rivets and structural adhesive. Its only welded in two spots!”
 
Last edited:

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Just don't want this engineer working on the Cybertruck


banding and molding.jpg
The frame on this twenty year old truck was probably weakened from rust to some extent, and I'd be willing to bet overloaded by several hundred present of it's design capacity.
 

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The Lucid Air BIW is joined together using rivets, structural adhesive and 2 welds. Will the Cybertruck be similar? I believe so because if you TIG weld SS it will show discoloration from being heated from the welding process.

4A537C4D-06AF-4DDE-8ADB-C92F923A5DFB.jpeg


“There are also jars showcasing the strength in simplicity by assembling the body in white using rivets and structural adhesive. Its only welded in two spots!”
Friction Stir Welding isn't as hot as TIG so the discoloration problem may not be a problem (or it will). I searched for images of the back side of FSW stainless steel but couldn't find any. The video below doesn't show much discoloration at the edges of the weld in 301 stainless steel. Tesla may be formulating their 30? stainless steel to avoid the discoloration problem. (wishful thinking on my part)

 


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We need to get this done next week!

Engineer 1: we don’t have the parts for 3 weeks though.

Engineer 2: we can use straps from the hardware store in a pinch. They won’t look pretty but they are rated for the load.

Engineer 1 now works at GM. Engineer 2 still works at Tesla.

There are likely hundreds of cars with this workaround on them and there has never been a recall on them. Says a lot about the reliability of this quick solution.
Not this crap again :-(
 

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The 6,000-ton die-casting machine currently being used for Model Y/3 is using aluminum for its casting.

My concern, hopefully, yours too, the 9,000-ton die-casting machine schedule to be used for the Cybertruck is also using aluminum for its castings.

The main concern is, aluminum and stainless steel parts will be assembled together.
You shouldn't use Stainless Steel and Aluminum Together - it causes Galvanic Corrosion.

(
Galvanic corrosion is the transfer of electrons from one material (anode) to another (cathode).

  • Anode – material that is positively charged, electrons leave this material
  • Cathode – material that is negatively charged, electrons enter this material
  • Electrolyte – liquid that aids in the process of electron transfer
  • Corrosion/corrode – Destroy or weaken metal gradually

Galvanic corrosion occurs when two materials (an anode and a cathode) come into contact with each other and an electrolyte. Electrolytes can be environmental factors such as humidity or rainwater. When these factors come into play, electron transfer will begin to occur. Depending on the level of resistance in an electrolyte, this transfer can happen much faster. This is why saltwater, an electrolyte with very low resistance, is a common factor when considering what product to use. Due to this, it is incredibly important to consider what material you are going to use in an environment. When working with a marine, saltwater environment, you even need to consider the type of stainless steel you are using.

There are multiple kinds of rust that can occur during the oxidization process.

How Can Galvanic Corrosion be stopped?
There are a few steps you can take if you MUST use these materials together.

  1. Add an insulator between the two materials so they no longer connect. Without that connection, the transfer of electrons cannot occur. Well Nuts are a commonly used fastener to help separate materials that can suffer from galvanic corrosion.
  2. Use materials with the same potential. Metals with the same corrosion resistance are typically ok to use together.
  3. If you are in a situation where only one of the materials will come into contact with an electrolyte then the transfer of electrons will not occur.
  4. If there is a coating on the cathode it can prevent the transfer through increased resistance.
  5. Consider your environment before installing. Choose materials that will work for your environment.
  6. Coat or paint your assembly (completely) so that the electrolyte cannot make contact with the materials
  7. Use neoprene EPDM or bonding washers as a barrier in between the metals.
Just an FYI, for the engineers/production staff, to perform during the manufacture of this product.


source
Your concern is valid but not as valid as you think. I’ve worked with galvanic corrosion issues before. Stainless and aluminum do not play well when a low voltage current is introduced.

However, the issue lies with which has the greatest volume of material. Aluminum is an anode and Stainless is a cathode. So aluminum will give up electrons to stainless. That is if stainless represents a greater volume of material than the aluminum.It will draw more electrons from the aluminum and cause corrosion at the point of contact. I doubt there will be a greater volume of stainless since it is only a skin.

For instance in boats, if a piece of railing was made of stainless you wouldn’t want to use aluminum screws. But, if it was an aluminum railing it’s safe to use stainless screws.

Additionally, I doubt the stainless panels will be attached without a bushing or something similar at the attachment points. This would add a natural barrier.
 
 




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