The Tesla Cybertruck is actually still in the development phase. Although news is scarce on this thing, especially its release date, there are scattered reports on it, such as seeing a prototype with mirrors and a massive central wiper in 2021. The Latest: Tesla has filed a patent application for a steel alloy that will envelop the Cybertruck’s exoskeleton.
According to electrec, The steel should outperform other typical automotive-grade alloys. In his patent filing, Tesla outlines fairly detailed specifications on the Vicker’s hardness scale, corrosion resistance, ductility and tensile strength. For the nerds, it will range in hardness from 420 HV to 500 HV, have 520 mV to 600 mV corrosion resistance, 60 degree bend angle ductility at 1.8 mm thickness, and a yield strength of 1100 MPa.
Tesla listed some other common steel alloys in the filing, including the common 304L, 316L and 301. It has an exoskeleton draped over it for added durability. This exoskeleton could be made with a proprietary alloy mentioned in the patent.
The automaker doesn’t explicitly say whether it will use the alloy on the Cybertruck in the patent, but notes that it could be used in a vehicle with an exoskeleton. It also appears that a major focus of this alloy is corrosion resistance, with the patent filing stating that “in some embodiments, the corrosion resistance of the monolithic metal sheet may allow the vehicle’s exterior panels to be used without the application of an anticorrosion coating.” Permits.or corrosion protective agents (such as paint).
Reading between the lines, “30X” does not mean 30 times as much, but rather looks more like the nomenclature used for 300-series stainless steel that is hardened only by cold-rolling methods. As such, it is likely to be a mix or variation of 300-series stainless steel, which is not uncommon in the industry.
Whether or not it will be used on the Cybertruck remains to be seen. The next Tesla Investor Day is now around the corner, and details will surely be released then.