What is my fuel tank made of?
Your fuel tank is typically made of a durable plastic material, such as high-density polyethylene (HDPE) or polypropylene (PP). These plastic materials are chosen for their strength, corrosion resistance, and ability to withstand the pressures and temperatures associated with storing and transporting fuel.
Understanding Fuel Tank Materials
Fuel tanks in modern vehicles are designed to be lightweight, safe, and long-lasting. The choice of material is a critical factor in achieving these goals. Plastic materials like HDPE and PP are popular choices because they offer several advantages over traditional metal fuel tanks:
- Corrosion resistance: Plastic fuel tanks are not susceptible to rusting or corrosion, which can be a problem with metal tanks, especially in areas with high humidity or exposure to road salt.
- Lightweight: Plastic tanks are significantly lighter than metal, which helps improve fuel efficiency and reduce the overall weight of the vehicle.
- Impact resistance: Plastic tanks are more resistant to dents and punctures than metal, making them less likely to leak or rupture in the event of a collision.
- Cost-effective: Plastic fuel tanks are generally less expensive to manufacture than metal tanks, which helps keep production costs down.
While plastic fuel tanks are the norm in most modern vehicles, some specialty or high-performance vehicles may still use metal fuel tanks, particularly if they require larger fuel capacities or need to withstand higher pressures.
Fuel Tank Safety and Regulations
Fuel tanks, regardless of the material, must meet strict safety and environmental regulations to ensure they are safe for use in vehicles. These regulations cover factors such as:
- Fuel permeation and evaporative emissions
- Impact and puncture resistance
- Corrosion resistance
- Thermal expansion and contraction
- Compatibility with fuel additives and blends
Manufacturers must rigorously test their fuel tanks to ensure they comply with all relevant safety standards before they can be used in production vehicles.
Are fuel tanks metal or plastic?
Tanks will come in various materials, including plastic and steel. Both materials offer different benefits and drawbacks, and it is important to understand the differences between them to determine which type of tank is right for your needs.
What kind of plastic is my fuel tank?
Typically, plastic fuel tanks are made from these five different materials: high density polyethylene (HDPE), polypropylene (PP), regrind plastic (recycled polyethylene), a plastic adhesive or ethyl vinyl alcohol (EVOH). These storage tanks can be formed by rational molding or blow molding processes.
How do I know what type of fuel I have?
Look for a sticker
These are often found on the car key, dashboard or fuel gauge. If you can't find it, try opening the fuel cap cover, as there may be a sticker on the inside of the cap. Messages on these stickers are usually very straightforward and will read something like 'Unleaded Gas Only' or 'Diesel Only'.
How do I know what fuel tank I have?
Typically the owner's manual provides a reasonable estimate of your vehicle's fuel tank capacity. Some manufacturers estimate that the capacity of a fuel tank may vary by as much as three percent from the actual tank capacity.
What are the problems when a fuel tank is made from metal?
While steel is virtually indestructible in normal conditions, continued exposure to the elements introduces problems. The surface of a fuel tank can corrode, especially when it comes into contact with water for extended periods of time.
What are the two types of fuel tanks?
Metal (steel or aluminium) fuel tanks are usually built by welding stamped sheetmetal parts together. Plastic fuel tanks usually built using blow molding, which allows more complex shapes to be used.
Can a plastic fuel tank be repaired?
Permatex's Plastic Tank Repair Kit contains everything required for making a professional-quality permanent repairs in just minutes. These state-of-the-art components and easy-to-follow instructions with photographs and can be used to repair all types of plastic tanks.
What material is a fuel tank made of?
Automotive fuel tanks
The most common materials for fuel tanks are metal or plastic. Metal (steel or aluminium) fuel tanks are usually built by welding stamped sheetmetal parts together. Plastic fuel tanks usually built using blow molding, which allows more complex shapes to be used.
What are old fuel tanks made of?
steel
Before 1990, most car gas tanks were made of steel. By 1996 plastic had replaced steel in one out of four fuel tanks manufactured in North America.
What material are car fuel tanks made of?
North American auto manufacturers are currently supplied with tanks comprising a steel substrate coated with either terne or zinc-nickel. In all, about 125,191 tonnes of steel substrate per year are applied to gas tanks.
