5454 Aluminum Uses in Tank Trucks

5454 aluminum sheet belongs to the Al-Mg series of rust-resistant aluminum alloys, with a magnesium content between 3.1% and 3.9%. This composition endows it with excellent resistance to stress corrosion cracking and marine atmospheric corrosion, while also exhibiting excellent weldability and ease of processing into complex shapes. What are 5454 aluminum uses in tank trucks?

1. Chemical tank trucks

Chemical tank trucks primarily transport corrosive media such as acids, alkalis, and salt solutions, placing extremely high demands on the corrosion resistance of the tank material. 5454 aluminum sheet, with its superior chemical corrosion resistance, is an ideal material for the inner liner and outer shell of chemical tank trucks.

When transporting common chemical raw materials such as hydrochloric acid, diluted sulfuric acid, and sodium hydroxide solutions, 5454 aluminum sheet effectively resists media erosion, avoiding the risk of tank leakage. Compared to traditional carbon steel tanks, it eliminates the need for frequent anti-corrosion coating treatments, significantly reducing maintenance costs.

Furthermore, its good formability allows for the processing requirements of complex structures in chemical tank trucks, such as those with variable diameters and end caps, ensuring the tank's sealing performance.

2. Edible oil and food-grade tank trucks

Food-grade tank trucks have stringent requirements for material safety and non-contamination. 5454 aluminum sheet meets food contact material standards, has a smooth and easy-to-clean surface, and is not prone to bacterial growth, making it perfectly suited for transporting food raw materials such as edible oils, juices, and dairy products.

In these tank trucks, 5454 aluminum sheet is mainly used in the tank body, inlet, and outlet—parts that come into direct contact with food. Its excellent weldability allows for seamless welding of the tank body, avoiding material residue and ensuring food transportation safety. Furthermore, the non-magnetic nature of aluminum sheet avoids metal contamination, further improving the quality stability of transported food.

3. Liquid hazardous chemical tank trucks

Tank trucks carrying liquid hazardous chemicals (such as methanol, ethanol, and ethylene glycol) not only require corrosion resistance but also have strict requirements for the tank's pressure resistance and impact resistance.

5454-h34 aluminum has a tensile strength of up to 260 MPa and a yield strength of approximately 110 MPa, meeting the pressure requirements of the tank while maintaining lightweight construction.

Its application in these types of tank trucks is concentrated in the tank body, end caps, and reinforcing ribs. Through reasonable structural design, the overall rigidity of the tank can be improved, reducing safety hazards caused by bumps and vibrations during transportation. While aluminum plates have high thermal conductivity, when combined with an insulation layer, temperature control issues in the transportation of hazardous chemicals can be effectively addressed.

4. Water sprinkler trucks and sanitation tank trucks

Water sprinkler trucks, vacuum trucks, and other sanitation tank trucks operate outdoors for extended periods, facing the dual challenges of wind, sun, rain, and sewage corrosion. The weather resistance and corrosion resistance of 5454 aluminum plates make them highly favored in these tank trucks, primarily used in the tank body, water tank, and spray pipes.

Compared to traditional steel, sanitation tank trucks made of 5454 aluminum plates are less prone to rust, have a service life extended by 3-5 years, and are easier to clean, reducing the workload of sanitation departments. Their lightweight characteristics also increase the water carrying capacity of water sprinkler trucks, improving operational efficiency.

The revolution brought about by 5454 aluminum plate in the tank truck industry

1. Lightweight upgrade

Taking a 30-cubic-meter chemical tank truck as an example, a tank body made of 5454 aluminum plate is approximately 3-4 tons lighter than a carbon steel tank body. This means that, without changing the total mass limit, the effective payload of the tank truck can be increased by 3-4 tons. Simultaneously, fuel consumption per 100 kilometers can be reduced by 0.5-1 liter, resulting in significant fuel cost savings for enterprises over the long term.

2. Reduced maintenance costs

5454 aluminum plate has natural corrosion resistance. Under normal operating conditions, no additional anti-corrosion treatment is required; only regular cleaning is needed to maintain its good condition. Even in highly corrosive environments such as chemical plants and wastewater treatment plants, its maintenance cycle is 2-3 times longer than that of carbon steel tank trucks, significantly reducing equipment maintenance time and costs.

Furthermore, 5454 aluminum plate has high fatigue strength, enabling it to withstand the long-term bumpy operating environment of tank trucks, extending the tank's service life from the traditional 8-10 years of carbon steel tank trucks to 12-15 years.

3. Enhanced safety performance

The high strength and weld toughness of 5454 aluminum sheet joints reduce the likelihood of cracking, effectively ensuring the tank's sealing and reducing the risk of material leakage—crucial for the transportation of chemicals and hazardous materials.

Furthermore, its excellent plasticity and impact resistance allow it to absorb energy through deformation in the event of a collision or other accident, reducing the possibility of tank rupture. In addition, the lightweight tank lowers the tanker's center of gravity, improving vehicle stability and reducing the probability of rollovers.

4. Flexible processing capabilities

5454 aluminum sheet possesses excellent cold and hot working properties, allowing it to be processed into tanks of various shapes and volumes through rolling, bending, and stamping. This meets customized needs such as "elliptical heads" for edible oil tankers and "variable diameter cylinders" for chemical tankers. Simultaneously, its excellent weldability allows for dissimilar welding with other aluminum alloys or steel, providing greater flexibility for tanker structural optimization.