Welding of plastic tank

[skatun]

Is there a way to find out what kind of plastic the tank is?

[deblen]

[QUOTE=thinwater;2937463]

Originally Posted by deblen

I don't know what "breed" of polyethelyne that is used to make red & yellow jerry cans,for gas & diesel-but it must be the same poly as used for common black poly well pipe & has been welded for years by local cage makers..../QUOTE]


No, it is not the same. I am in the oil/gas business and am a piping and tank inspector, among other things.


Gas/fuel tanks are crosslinked polyethyene, not HDPE. They are also either doped or lines during the manufacturing process to reduce permeability. This is not done with the thick walled PE pipe, because it interferes with welding.


What will happen is that the material will appear to weld, but the materials do not actually blend and the result is no more than a glued-on connection, with a fraction of the strength of blended welding. It will seem welded, but it will be several times weaker than the original.


It's just not worth it. Sell the wrong tank and buy the right tank.

OK I defer to your expertise. I was going strictly by local observation of results. / Len