As part of the plastics manufacturing process, resins are melted down from petroleum and separated into different grades of liquid, and then reformed to make specific types of plastics. Every plastic that is made is tested to check for its unique and specific factors and abilities. There are only so many plastics that can hold up to water requirements for purity standards through a process of elimination. This stands true for filtration, watering, and cleaning purposes that meet these regulations. Here is the list of what materials are used to make plastic tanks.
Thermoplastics
The main classification of plastics that are used for water storage tanks all come from a singular source, namely through thermoplastics. Just as the name suggests, these substances are resistant and work well under high-pressure and high0intensity situations, such as when exposed to high heat and friction. This means that they will not burst, melt, crack, or warp under high heat. Many other polymers have negative side effects from the elements, but this one is tried and true every time. Because of how thermoplastics work, it also means that they are BPA-free due to not being affected by high-heat situations; thus, they don’t emit any excess chemicals or plastic particles under heat and pressure. This makes them safe to use for human, animal, and plant use.
Polyethylene
Soon after its discovery, polyethylene became popular, and it is now widely used in the making of plastic water tanks by plastic water storage tank manufacturers. This is due to its molecular structure, according to the polymerization method, which has shown it to be varied in different levels of density. This simply means that the highly-dense variety, known as HDPE (PE300-B100), has the best mechanical resistance among any other polymer.
Polyethylene also holds the longest lifespan of any other polymer when it comes to the manufacturing of polymers for the creation of plastic tanks. Some of its most valued characteristics that it has low density, a high fortress or strength, it breaks at high levels of elongation, and that it is highly resistant to most chemical agents. In addition, polyethylene is also resistant to electrical power, and it’s thus naturally electrically insulated. It is also extremely deficient in moisture absorption, which actually makes a great trait for water tanks.
Polypropylene
Also known as PP, polypropylene comes from the process of polymerization of an unexpected candidate—propane gas. Through the polymerization of propane gas, a thermoplastic is produced, which we know as polypropylene. When separated into an isostatic form, polypropylene has the most optimal selection of characteristics for the manufacture of plastic water storage.
There are two other derivatives of this polymer, known as homopolymer and copolymer, that both possess an unmatched resistance and top performance in cryogenic settings. Some of their most highly sought-after attributes are that they have a much lower density than their predecessor, HDPE. They also have better stiffness and strength than HDPE. In general, thermoplastics are resistant to heat, but they outperform any of the previously listed materials on a large dimensional scale as they remain completely stable in high-heat environments.
Finally, they are almost completely resistant to corrosion and any chemical attack that might take place. This makes these derivatives huge contenders for the manufacturing of plastics that are made for specific jobs. This plastic variety is the definitive style of plastic made.
Polyvinyl Chloride
You might know this compound as PVC. Polyvinyl chloride is generally amorphous and can produce many different variations of itself with additives. Some of these formulations become pure, flexible, and on the opposite end, extremely hard and rigid, leaving them impact-resistant as well. This substance is generally characterized as having a high mechanical resistance, which means that it works well under tense environments for long periods of time, making it highly competitive with metals.
One of the prime examples of PVC having such a great mechanical profile is how it took over the plumbing industry. PVC replaced most metal piping as the main sourced material for most conventional modern piping and plumbing. PVC is also self-extinguishing, so it’s completely fire-retardant, along with its great electrical and chemical resistance. So, with all these properties and uses available with PVC, it makes a perfect candidate for using this as a choice plastic for water storage and water tank fabrication.
Polyvinylidene Fluoride
Coming to the fold as pure crystalline in form, this substance is categorized as a fluoropolymer, which simply has to do with the process by which it’s manufactured. Suspension of polymers allows the polymers to have a higher crystallinity and melting point. This gives great chemical and thermal stability. PVDF is also highly resistant to acids, possesses great abrasion resistance, is flame-retardant, has high mechanical resistance, and is excellent in the sterilization process.
So, if you’re still curious to know about what materials are used to make plastic tanks, then you should dive into plastic polymerization process. If you ever find yourself looking for a decent water storage tank, then you may have to weigh out your options based on what each compound has to offer. This is also situational, depending on what you may be using the tank for and how much water you need to store at any given time.
However, if you need a quality polymer, make sure you’re weighing out your options between the list provided and their characteristics. This will help you decide which compound is best for your project. Not all plastics are made alike, and you should always check to make sure that your plastics are certified and able to hold water, due to the fact that some plastics have been known to leech toxins into water.
This is why we are certain that the compounds we’ve listed are great when it comes to water storage, no matter which manufacturer you choose to go with. So, make sure you’re doing your research before you purchase your tanks. This will provide you with the information that you need moving forward to meet your needs in whatever capacity you may have to use these tanks in the future.
