Metal finishing Q&As since 1989

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Stainless vs Carbon Steel Tanks

2005

I am a project Director working with the military branch of the government. My project deals with a prototype deployable waste water treatment plant. The tank's designed for this system are stainless steel. I have been advised by the manufacturer that fiber glass tanks are more suitable for this type of system. Even carbon steel are better, cheaper and more resistant to chemicals.

Any comments from the professionals. What would you suggest is more feasible and economical?

Thanks,

Uwe U. Beyer
Department of National Defence - Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

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Fiberglass may well be a better option as the manufacturer says. Vinyl ester fiberglass is resistant to most everything. Polyethylene or polypropylene may also be good. Although I have been told that caustic solutions can "leach the chrome out" of stainless steel, in 35 years I've never actually seen a case where carbon steel was a better answer for a tank than stainless.

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
2005

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2005

Hi Uwe,

You didn't give the tank sizes nor indicate if they are rectangular or round or what or are oval shape for placing on trucks.

For smaller tanks up to 500 imp. gals try Polyethylene ... this is normally white but for outdoor usage you could get them easily in black to make them U.V. resistant ... with a white inside, if you wanted to.

In Ontario there are two large manufacturers of Poly tanks ... these are NOT fabricated but moulded ... rotational moulding to be pedantic.

Yes, there's fibreglass ... which is a stronger material but they'd have to be fabricated and great care has to be made to ensure that the 'insides' are properly cured, too !

The ultimate material is PVC which is fibreglass reinforced but that's wasting your $$$ for ordinary water.

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