Sub-Zero refrigerator hinge failure

Illustrates the consequence of 303 vs. 304 mix-up. Manufacturer used 303 (sulfur-bearing, non-weldable) instead of 304 for a pin-to-plate weld. Cracked at the weld, plated over, doors fell off in service. ~$7M in repairs.

I meant to bring in a hinge from a Sub-Zero freezer. Anybody know what a Sub-Zero refrigerator is? It's an $11,000 home refrigerator. Very high-end. Obviously none of you have millionaires for parents. I have a son who just bought a house and it has a Sub-Zero refrigerator, and a Wolf stove — goes for only five or six thousand. Very high-end kitchen appliances. I have a Sub-Zero hinge because someone made a mistake. They had a little pin that was supposed to be made out of carbon steel and welded to a carbon steel plate to make the hinge, and someone used 303. When they machined these little pins, and when they went to weld them, they had cracks. They didn't see the cracks. They plated them, put them on the refrigerator, and people bought $11,000 refrigerators and the doors started falling off. They were not happy. And these are the type of people who have enough money to sue you. So if you're going to shaft somebody, do it to poor people — they can't afford attorneys. That actually cost about $7 million worth of repairs.

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