Stainless Steel Chassis
Discussion
Yes, This car is the one I referred to in previous posts as the one for sale in Scotland. It appears to be Rod Gretton's car which started out as a 390SE, hence the trailing arm rear suspension. It has removable sills (like a 390) and a SEAC snout.
Presumably the SEAC snout was added at some point, but it is certainly a significant part of the wedge/SEAC development story and is a very interesting car. After all, the shape of the snout and the use of Kevlar is what makes a SEAC.
The stainless chassis that was originally under the car known as the 'SEAC racer' appears to be lost; I presume scrapped by David Gerald in their race campaign days; unless anyone can tell us better.
Presumably the SEAC snout was added at some point, but it is certainly a significant part of the wedge/SEAC development story and is a very interesting car. After all, the shape of the snout and the use of Kevlar is what makes a SEAC.
The stainless chassis that was originally under the car known as the 'SEAC racer' appears to be lost; I presume scrapped by David Gerald in their race campaign days; unless anyone can tell us better.
Fascinating story.
I would have thought that for a racer, there's much better stuff than stainless steel around, light steel alloys, ally, or even exotic stuff like titanium.
Although ally would probably have to be VERY different in design ?? Aircraft industry expertise ???
Hmmmm........
I would have thought that for a racer, there's much better stuff than stainless steel around, light steel alloys, ally, or even exotic stuff like titanium.
Although ally would probably have to be VERY different in design ?? Aircraft industry expertise ???
Hmmmm........
aderut said:
On the subject of the road cars. I know that David Hill did order a Stainless Chassis for what was D175ALL but that it was delivered a mild steel. I think his was the first car with what became the "standard" SEAC dash.
Fascinating.. I own D175 ALL (now D15 EAC), and learning about the history of these cars is great. Having inspected the car thoroughly when I bought it, I can confirm it does not have a stainless chassis. 
So does D177 ALL currently have a ss chassis?
D177ALL did spend some time in The Netherlands, and some of it's original body parts are still there, although they traveled separately to the low countries....a long story.....
Will try to get to wedgefest next year, it's been a bit busy this year with loads of family stuff to do.
Would be great to see "D175ALL" again. It's been a while.
Will try to get to wedgefest next year, it's been a bit busy this year with loads of family stuff to do.
Would be great to see "D175ALL" again. It's been a while.
aderut said:
D177ALL did spend some time in The Netherlands, and some of it's original body parts are still there, although they traveled separately to the low countries....a long story.....
Will try to get to wedgefest next year, it's been a bit busy this year with loads of family stuff to do.
Would be great to see "D175ALL" again. It's been a while.
I never made it this year either, but that was due to an electrical issue. Let's hope we can get there next year as I'd like to meet your SEAC D177 ALL. Will try to get to wedgefest next year, it's been a bit busy this year with loads of family stuff to do.
Would be great to see "D175ALL" again. It's been a while.
Its called stainless, not rustless!
Stress corrosion cracking can be an issue for some grades of stainless, and MUST be welded with a filler rod of AT LEAST the same level of Chromium and LESS carbon. Chromium depletion caused by welding with lower Cr rods will predispose the welds to corrosion, and too much carbon in the weld pool will cause precipitation of Chromium Carbides (extremely brittle) and mean that the weld cracks.... and also causes depletion of Chromium in the surrounding area because it absconds with the Carbon, leading to corrosion. Chromium makes stainless steel corrosion resistant by forming a tenacious, passivating Chromium Oxide layer on the surface. Dilute the Chromium in any area, corrosion resistance is compromised.
It can be done, but carefully, TIGed most likely by a *good* welder with the right filler wire.
If anyone on here is a proper metallurgist and I've dropped a clanger, please correct me.
Stress corrosion cracking can be an issue for some grades of stainless, and MUST be welded with a filler rod of AT LEAST the same level of Chromium and LESS carbon. Chromium depletion caused by welding with lower Cr rods will predispose the welds to corrosion, and too much carbon in the weld pool will cause precipitation of Chromium Carbides (extremely brittle) and mean that the weld cracks.... and also causes depletion of Chromium in the surrounding area because it absconds with the Carbon, leading to corrosion. Chromium makes stainless steel corrosion resistant by forming a tenacious, passivating Chromium Oxide layer on the surface. Dilute the Chromium in any area, corrosion resistance is compromised.
It can be done, but carefully, TIGed most likely by a *good* welder with the right filler wire.
If anyone on here is a proper metallurgist and I've dropped a clanger, please correct me.
ed_crouch said:
Its called stainless, not rustless!
Stress corrosion cracking can be an issue for some grades of stainless, and MUST be welded with a filler rod of AT LEAST the same level of Chromium and LESS carbon. Chromium depletion caused by welding with lower Cr rods will predispose the welds to corrosion, and too much carbon in the weld pool will cause precipitation of Chromium Carbides (extremely brittle) and mean that the weld cracks.... and also causes depletion of Chromium in the surrounding area because it absconds with the Carbon, leading to corrosion. Chromium makes stainless steel corrosion resistant by forming a tenacious, passivating Chromium Oxide layer on the surface. Dilute the Chromium in any area, corrosion resistance is compromised.
It can be done, but carefully, TIGed most likely by a *good* welder with the right filler wire.
If anyone on here is a proper metallurgist and I've dropped a clanger, please correct me.
In English it's a piece of piss for a competent personStress corrosion cracking can be an issue for some grades of stainless, and MUST be welded with a filler rod of AT LEAST the same level of Chromium and LESS carbon. Chromium depletion caused by welding with lower Cr rods will predispose the welds to corrosion, and too much carbon in the weld pool will cause precipitation of Chromium Carbides (extremely brittle) and mean that the weld cracks.... and also causes depletion of Chromium in the surrounding area because it absconds with the Carbon, leading to corrosion. Chromium makes stainless steel corrosion resistant by forming a tenacious, passivating Chromium Oxide layer on the surface. Dilute the Chromium in any area, corrosion resistance is compromised.
It can be done, but carefully, TIGed most likely by a *good* welder with the right filler wire.
If anyone on here is a proper metallurgist and I've dropped a clanger, please correct me.
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