What is a Plastic Fabricated Tank or Vessel?
A plastic fabricated tank or vessel typically refers to a container used to hold liquids, as well as transport and process substances safely and efficiently. These containers can vary in size, shape, and material depending on their purpose. Plastic fabricated tanks and vessels are used in various industries such as chemical manufacturing, oil and gas, pharmaceuticals, and water treatment.
They are commonly made from Polystone PG100 (HDPE PE100), Polystone P (PP) and Trovidur EC-N (PVC), but to handle specific substances or conditions, Trovidur PHT (C-PVC), Polystone PVDF or ECTFE are also utilised.
Benefits of Plastic Fabricated Tanks and Vessels vs Rotomoulded Tanks and Vessels
- Material Properties – Due to the manufacturing technique, resins used for plastic sheets (to fabricate tanks and vessels) result in superior properties compared to resins for rotomoulding. This allows for safer, more durable tanks and vessels with broader and superior capabilities.
- Wall thickness control – Tanks and vessels fabricated from sheets allows for more accurate wall thickness control compared to rotomoulded tanks and vessels, which improves safety and longevity on plastic fabricated tanks and vessels.
- Customisation & design flexability – Plastic fabricated tanks don’t require tooling or moulds, therefore one-off tanks can be made to ensure the design is not compromised by tooling that is designed to cover multiple applications, or the lack of flexibility that comes with the rotomoulding process.
- Size – Plastic fabricated tanks and vessels have almost unlimited size capabilities, while rotomoulded tanks and vessels are limited in size by the manufacturing process and transportation.
Benefits of Plastic Fabricated Tanks and Vessels vs Metal Tanks
- Corrosion and Chemical Resistance – plastics have superior and broader chemical and corrosion resistance than metals.
- Weight – this is particularly a benefit for transportation of the tank to site, or if the tank is used to transport substances.
- Cost – generally plastics are cheaper than metals, but also the fabricate costs are lower and easier.
Benefits of Plastic Fabricated Tanks and Vessels vs FRP (Fibreglass)
- Impact and toughness – Thermoplastics have superior impact properties for both tank and vessel construction, as well as when used as a liner.
- Design flexibility – due to the manufacturing technique, there is more flexibility in the design and shape of plastic tanks compared to FRP.
- Lightweight – Thermoplastic tanks and vessels are generally lighter, making them easier to transport, install and maneuver, as well as the weight saving benefits when the tank is used on a vehicle, i.e. truck and boat/ship.
Dotmar has qualified engineers that can provide direct design support for thermoplastic tanks and vessels, making use of tank design software (RITA) that complies with Australian and overseas standards.
