What are fuel storage tanks made of?
Most fuel storage tanks are made primarily from steel or fiberglass-reinforced plastic, with protective coatings, liners, or secondary containment to prevent leaks and corrosion. The exact material depends on the fuel type, environment, and whether the tank sits above or below ground.
Fuel-storage tanks are designed to hold gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, or biodiesel blends, and their construction must balance cost, durability, and regulatory requirements. In practice, steel remains the workhorse of the industry, while fiberglass-reinforced plastics (FRP) and stainless steel are favored in corrosive or high-purity applications. Emerging materials and composite designs are also expanding options for certain installations, especially underground storage.
Common materials used
Below is a concise guide to the principal materials you’ll encounter in fuel storage tanks, along with why they’re chosen and where they’re most often used.
- Carbon steel with protective coatings and, in many cases, secondary containment or cathodic protection.
- Stainless steel for higher corrosion resistance and fuel-purity requirements, typically in specialized installations.
- Fiberglass-reinforced plastic (FRP) and other composites, used for underground storage and in environments where steel would corrode or warp.
- Aluminum for lightweight, corrosion resistance in certain portable or specialized tanks, though less common for large fixed storage.
- Concrete-encasing or concrete-anchored configurations around steel tanks, often used to provide additional containment or support in certain sites.
Concluding note: The material selection balances fuel compatibility, structural demands, and local regulations. Steel-based tanks remain dominant for cost and repairability, while FRP and stainless options are favored where corrosion resistance or purity is paramount, particularly in underground installations.
Material choices by storage location
Aboveground storage tanks (ASTs) and underground storage tanks (USTs) face different corrosion and containment challenges, which influence material choice and protective strategies.
Aboveground tanks
Most ASTs rely on carbon steel with durable external coatings and, in some cases, interior linings or coatings to reduce corrosion. Stainless steel and aluminum are used in niche cases such as high-purity fuels, corrosive environments, or where weight and temperature considerations are critical.
Underground tanks
Underground storage tanks frequently employ carbon steel with corrosion-protection systems, or FRP to resist soil and groundwater corrosion. Regulatory requirements often drive additional features like double-wall construction and integrated leak-detection measures.
Coatings, liners, and secondary containment
Protective coatings, internal liners, and secondary containment play a central role in tank longevity and environmental protection. In practice, a typical steel tank combines external epoxy or polyurethane coatings, interior protective linings, and a secondary containment shell or double-wall design to prevent leaks from reaching soil or groundwater.
These protective strategies are as important as the base material itself, and they’re routinely updated to address evolving fuels and environmental standards. Modern systems also emphasize monitoring for corrosion, cracks and leaks to enable early intervention.
Emerging materials and trends
Industry players are exploring corrosion-resistant composites, laminated stainless steels, and advanced FRP formulations to extend lifespan in challenging environments. Greater emphasis is being placed on compatibility with ethanol- and biodiesel-blended fuels, as well as integrated sensing and monitoring technologies to detect corrosion and leaks earlier and more reliably.
Summary
Fuel storage tanks are built from a mix of steel, fiberglass, and other materials, chosen to balance fuel compatibility, strength, corrosion resistance, and regulatory demands. Steel remains the most common base material, enhanced with coatings, liners, and containment systems; FRP and stainless options see growing use in corrosive or high-purity settings, especially for underground storage. The industry continues refining materials and designs to meet evolving fuels, environmental requirements, and monitoring capabilities.
