Cheaper, Stronger, Lighter Steel

[floydv]

This article was just posted on Flash Bainite steel. Seems promising for Elio's focus on reducing weight while maintaining strength and formability: http://www.gizmag.com/flash-bainite...ail&utm_term=0_65b67362bd-22c928f24c-76683718

 

[Rob Croson]

Looks pretty cool. I know almost nothing about manufacturing, though.

 

[Gas-Powered Awesome]

Violates one of the tenets of Elio Motors: No New Technology.

 

[floydv]

Violates one of the tenets of Elio Motors: No New Technology.

Technically, it's not "new" since it was first reported in 2011 and it's just another variation on heat treatment of steel. Heat treatment of steel has been around as long as steel has been around.

 

[Gas-Powered Awesome]

Technically, it's not "new" since it was first reported in 2011.

"Technically" it's a brand-new process to heat-treat steel. From the article itself the "revolutionary" process is not in production use and therefor is new and decidedly not proven technology.

 

[floydv]

"Technically" it's a brand-new process to heat-treat steel. From the article itself the "revolutionary" process is not in production use and therefor is new and decidedly not proven technology.

Point taken. Bottom line is its PE's call whether he wants/can get his steel supplier(s) to provide Flash Bainite steel for the Elio, given the potential for weight and cost savings while maintaining crash safety. We can debate whether this is new or not all day, but PE can define this as "not new" if he wants and go on from there.

 

[aknaten]

Then there is Rearden Metal!

 

[Okie51]

Then there is Rearden Metal!

I think of Paul as a Hank Rearden type of guy. I discovered Elio while reading Atlas Shrugged.

 

[Stephen Workman]

Violates one of the tenets of Elio Motors: No New Technology.

isn't 'flame spraying' cylinder walls "new(er) technology"?

 

[Ekh]

If this stuff lets EM save 100 pounds a car and costs less, it could be from Tomorrowland or scraped up out of King Tuts tomb for all I care. If it helps meet those "musts" -- and it sounds as if this stuff helps with all three -- PE needs to know about it ASAP -- assuming he doesn't already know.