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Which is better? Rubber lining vs chemcarbon

We are a company specializing in tank fabrication for the chemical industries, distributing corrosive chemicals such as caustic soda [affil links] and hydrochloric acid. For the longest time rubber lining has always been our best seller so to speak in this industry. Although we have been informed that there are more innovative processes and products related to making steel tanks corrosion resistant like the use of chemcarbon. May we inquire if this product has really been proven more effective than rubber lining.

Kathleen Toledo
- Quezon, Manila, Philippines
2003

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2003

Kathleen,

Pardon my abysmal ignorance, but I haven't got a clue what CHEMCARBON even means!

If you mean a polyester or vinylester or epoxy matrix using carbon fibres, ah, the only advantage would be strength ... not an enhanced chemical resistance.

You say that you are 'distributing' chemicals. This means a tanker truck design, right? In which case rubber or the appropriate elastomer sounds A.OK.

Straight fibreglass construction of tanker trucks goes back to the 60's ... the only problem was 'static charges' but they got over that by using an inner conductive barrier. If you are making tanker trucks from metal, I'd be worried about flexing! In which case the rubber is supreme but fibreglass or carbon fibre liners would be, I feel, very suspect as they won't flex.

Does this answer your question?

If so, please advise.

Freeman Newton [deceased]
(It is our sad duty to advise that Freeman passed away
April 21, 2012. R.I.P. old friend).