Advantages of aluminum alloy plate for tanker

An aluminum alloy plate for tanker is universally praised for its low density and light weight. In addition to light weight, it has other advantages as a tanker material: strong corrosion resistance, few welding needs and high recyclable rate.

Strong corrosion resistance helps an aluminium tank store liquid materials in a more effective way. Whatever liquid it is, chemicals, water or fuel, will not lead to rust or erosion of the container tank, thus the tank would last much longer. Such a corrosion resistance can be further strengthened by methods like anodizing. At present, except for a few special chemicals for transportation, almost all tanks in Europe and the United States are made of aluminum alloy, with a market share of more than 90%.

The mechanical properties of aluminium enables manufacturers to supply super wide aluminium tanker plates as wide as 3800mm wide. In this way a few pieces are enough for a whole tank, and little welding work is needed. Extra welding points mean bigger possibilities of liquid leakage, which is fatal to a liquid tank. Some people worry about leakage from collision accidents. Here is a true story. Years ago a fuel tanker turned on its side in Sichuan, China. The tank body was severely deformed yet not broken, and the fuel inside was not leaked at all. This proves that aluminium tankers are not as fragile as imagined. The key point is that tanker makers must adopt high-quality aluminum alloy materials, reasonable tank structure and welding technology.

Last but not least, an aluminium plate for tanker has a high recyclable rate reaching 80%. Deserted tanks can be sold for the recycling purpose. The purchase price of scrap aluminum alloy materials is 6 yuan/kg, which is three times that of carbon steel materials. In the large perspective, this contributes a lot to environmental protection. In the perspective of individuals, an aluminium tanker owner could be saved some expense.

With technological development in the aluminium plate fabricating industry, aluminium alloy plates for tanker will become wider and wider, more and more corrosion resistant and harder and harder.