High-quality petrol tanks are an essential piece of equipment when it comes to safe fuel handling and storage. Secure containment of petrol is essential, as fuel leakages can have a severe impact on the environment and cleaning up fuel spills can not only be expensive financially, but can also cost a company its reputation.
When choosing petrol tanks to buy for your business or project, there are an abundance of materials to choose from. However not all petrol tanks are made equally, and some petrol tank materials simpler fare better in certain conditions and climates than others. This article will go over some of the best materials for petrol tanks, their unique benefits and drawbacks, and which materials are best for specific climates and environments.
Types of Petrol Tank Materials
The most common and preferred materials used for petrol tanks are steel, aluminium and plastic.
Steel is one of the best materials when it comes to crafting fuel tanks due to its ability to be easily formed and securely welded with relative ease. However, one downside of steel tanks is their capacity to rust when not properly shielded from the elements.
Aluminium is another popular material when it comes to the crafting and construction of fuel tanks due to its lightweight nature, corrosion resistance and high thermal conductivity.
In recent years, plastic has seen a rise in popularity as a material for fuel tank manufacturing as it offers a low-cost solution and is easy to fabricate through the rotational moulding process, which grants this material its unique ability to be formed into complex shapes.
Below, each material will be discussed in greater detail.
Steel
Steel is a popular choice for petrol tanks due to its strength and durability. Steel tanks are perhaps the most ubiquitous type of tank in the fuel and petrol industry and are often seen at service stations and construction sites. However, one downside of steel tanks is their capacity to rust and corrode when not properly protected.
To prevent corrosion, steel tanks must be properly treated with anti-corrosion coatings such as galvanising or powder coating. These coatings are specifically formulated to help protect the tank from rust and other forms of corrosion. It’s also best to store these types of tanks under some kind of cover when not in use for extended periods of time.
Aluminium
Aluminium is another popular choice for petrol tanks due to the material’s lightweight nature, corrosion resistance and high thermal conductivity.
The reduction in density and weight of aluminium tanks compared to steel tanks makes them ideal for those who may need to move their storage tank on occasion, while still providing the necessary strength and durability for fuel tank applications.
Aluminium has been shown to resist corrosion better than steel, plus the higher thermal conductivity helps to keep stored fuel at a consistent temperature while in use, which assists in the prevention of bacterial growth on the surface of the fuel.
Plastic
Plastic is another popular choice for petrol tanks due to its low cost, ease of fabrication through rotational moulding processes, and the unique advantage of being able to be formed into complex shapes. Plastic petrol tanks are typically made from polypropylene, high-density polyethylene, ethyl vinyl alcohol or a plastic adhesive. The rotational moulding process involves injecting plastic granules into a heated rotating mould tool, which is typically pre-formed in the desired shape of the tank. This allows for more intricate designs which can be beneficial when space is limited.
