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    Steel vs plastic fuel storage tanks:
    Which is best?

    Browse all diesel tanks

    When it comes to storing fuel, one of the key decisions that you’ll need to make is whether to opt for a plastic tank, or a tank made from steel. But which is better for storing and dispensing diesel on your site - a steel tank or a plastic one?

    The debate about the different merits of steel and plastic affects a vast range of purchasing decisions, across many sectors of industry, construction, event management, and agriculture. Especially when it comes to anything that is heavy-duty, used outdoors, and which needs to be both durable and cost-effective.

    That conundrum certainly applies to the best ways to store diesel. Both of these materials are widely used to construct fuel storage tanks. Each has their advantages, and a reputation for standing up to considerable wear and tear and environmental factors. When you buy from a reputable supplier, both plastic and steel diesel storage and dispensing tanks are also excellent ways to keep fuel free of contaminants and water incursion.

    To help you to decide on which material is best for you, let’s weigh up the advantages and disadvantages of steel vs plastic fuel tanks.

    Plastic Diesel Fuel Tanks: Advantages & Disadvantages

    The invention of plastic has revolutionised everything from the smallest components in production machinery to large heavy-duty storage units. Largely as it is highly machinable and malleable, and can be created to fit a wide range of specifications.

    ‍Plastic fuel storage tanks can be created in a wide range of shapes to fit any site or operational nuances, while still offering good resistance to environmental factors.

    Browse Plastic Fuel Storage Tanks

    Cost
    ‍    Manufacturing from plastic is usually a cheaper option than steel. This means plastic fuel storage tanks can represent excellent value for money, and typically come in at a lower cost than an equivalently sized steel tank.

    ‍Maintenance
    ‍    Plastic is also a corrosion-free way to engineer a diesel dispensing tank. That can be important if you need a maintenance-free fuel storage and dispensing system. Unlike steel, plastic will never require extra layers of protection – like paint – to help it to stand up to weathering and pollutants.

    ‍Versatility
    ‍    Some types of liquid are only recommended to be stored in plastic tanks. While this doesn’t necessarily apply to diesel fuel, liquids such as AdBlue can cause corrosion of steel which results in contamination. For this reason, high quality polyethylene is the recommended option for AdBlue tanks.

    ‍Weight
    ‍    Another key advantage of buying plastic fuel storage products is that they are surprisingly lightweight. This can be particularly handy if you need diesel dispensing tanks you can move from site to site or to use on different locations at the same site as your operational needs change. It also makes installation into awkward sites, or those with access restrictions, easier than heavier steel tanks.

    ‍Durability
    ‍    Moulded to be seamless, smaller plastic fuel tanks won’t present any areas of structural vulnerability. When plastic fuel storage containers are of sufficient quality, they will be difficult to dent, and are also able to regain their original shape if they are deformed. Like steel versions, plastic fuel tanks can ensure your diesel is protected from water seepage, but plastic can also manage condensation build-up brilliantly.

    ‍Position & Protection
    ‍    You need to be particularly careful how you site plastic diesel fuel storage systems. Plastic tanks must be protected from the sun’s UV rays and extreme temperatures, as these elements can degrade the plastic over time. You may also need to create a solid bed for these tanks, whereas steel versions tend to be self-supporting and better able to cope with sunshine, cold and heat.

    ‍Strength
    ‍    Although tough, plastic is not as hard as steel. This means that plastic tanks can be more susceptible to being punctured in the event of an accident, or theft as the outer skin is not as strong as a tank made from steel. However, opting for a bunded tank can be a good way to negate these issues.

    ‍Advantages of Plastic Diesel Tanks

    ‍Disadvantages of Plastic Diesel Tanks

    + Lower cost than steel tanks

    - Less secure against theft

    + Easy to maintain & corrosion free

    - Can’t be used for very high capacity tanks

    + Light, easy to install and transport

    - May need protection from UV & extreme weather

    + Durable and long lasting

     

    Steel Diesel Fuel Tank: Advantages & Disadvantages

    Steel is an excellent material to use when engineering reliable storage tanks, not least as you can benefit from its undeniable ability to withstand all that time and extensive use can throw at it! If maintained correctly, steel diesel storage tanks last a long time and can potentially outlive plastic fuel containers.

    Browse Steel Fuel Storage Tanks

    Strength
    ‍    It takes a considerable amount of force to damage the correct specification of steel for fuel tanks, making it a better storage option if you think your fuel tanks will be vulnerable to a life of ‘hard knocks’. Particularly as metals usually offer a higher melting point than plastic, as well as that significant higher tensile strength. If you purchase a fully bunded steel tank, as with plastic there will be an additional level of protection in the event of the outer skin being punctured.

    ‍Capacity
    ‍    Another key advantage that steel fuel tanks have over plastic tanks is the size and scope of tanks that can be manufactured. Steel is the material of choice for larger tanks, and custom diesel tanks can also be designed to meet almost any requirement and specification.

    Weight
    ‍    Clearly, steel storage units for fuel are heavier than plastic. This can be an issue if you need versatile diesel dispensing tanks or storage systems you can relocate as needed, such as for managing diesel refuelling at events, on temporary construction sites, or on large agricultural properties.

    ‍Maintenance
    ‍    If you don’t know how to take care of steel fuel tanks properly – or you buy cheap and poorly made diesel tanks made of steel - they can corrode. Even the best steel tanks require a certain level of maintenance, which is usually more than is required with a plastic tank. This is something that should be planned for before purchasing a tank.

    Customisation
    ‍    With the right supplier, it is possible to engineer robust steel fuel tanks in a comprehensive range of sizes, including made-to-order fuel storage systems with role-specific modifications that plastic can't replicate, such as gantry, steps and handrails to fit into a bespoke fuel storage dispensing system. It’s also possible to specify custom and bespoke tanks or almost any size and specification to meet requirements.

    ‍Security
    ‍    Steel tanks offer important security advantages. Fuel theft is a significant – and increasing – risk for the sort of organisations that need to hold stocks of diesel on site. This is especially a concern in remote locations such as farms, building sites, transport depots or outdoor event sites.

    While there is a chance that a determined fuel thief could drill through even the best-made plastic tanks to syphon out diesel,  steel tanks are more difficult to puncture intentionally, making theft of fuel less of a concern. Also, heavier diesel storage tanks make it much harder for someone to load one on a vehicle and disappear in the middle of the night!

    ‍Advantages of Steel Diesel Tanks

    ‍Disadvantages of Steel Diesel Tanks

    + Larger capacity tanks available

    - More expensive than plastic tanks

    + A range of custom & bespoke options

    - Requires more maintenance

    + Stronger to protect against theft and damage

    - Heavier, which makes moving and installing more difficult

    + Strong with long life expectancy

     

    Cost of Plastic vs Steel Fuel Tanks

    As we have mentioned above, one of the key differences between steel and plastic tanks - and an important consideration for any business - is cost. This brings us to possibly the easiest way to choose between steel or plastic for storing fuel. Is there a substantial price difference?

    The short answer is yes. Plastic fuel tanks tend to be cheaper than steel ones.

    The big question is whether paying the extra is worth it, to benefit from steel’s ability to stand up to both deliberate and accidental damage better.

    Plus, keep in mind that steel diesel storage tanks can be engineered to be major pieces of site equipment when you need secure, long-lasting, high-capacity tanks to hold diesel or other fuels. While plastic fuel tanks are usually available in smaller sizes, as they are best suited to more versatile purposes.

    Finally, when assessing value for money in steel v plastic diesel storage systems, timescales can be a factor. If you require a steel tank, and particularly a bespoke tank, the lead time can often be longer than when purchasing a plastic tank.

    Sourcing The Best Diesel Storage Tanks

    Designers and manufacturers of fuel storage and dispensing equipment have responded to the wide-ranging operational requirements of customers in the modern business environment. This includes both standard sizes and made to order bunded or single skin fuel tanks, and the ideal tanks to store biofuels.

    Browse All Diesel Tanks

    As leaders in this field, at Northern Tank store we offer products from a wide range of brands including Turners Fabrications, Harlequin Manufacturing, Atlas Tanks, Platinum Tanks and Wydale Plastics.

    Our range includes everything from large capacity tanks that hold 150,000 litres of fuel, to mobile fuel bowsers, dispensers and slimline plastic diesel tanks.

    We also offer in-house design and manufacturing, which means we’re able to offer bespoke diesel tanks to meet almost any requirement.

    Still Not Sure On Steel Vs Plastic Fuel Tanks?

    As there is such an impressive range of options in both plastic and steel, deciding the best dimensions and types of fuel storage products for your business can be tricky. Also, your decision may need to be based on both your current and future fuel requirements as a company.

    You may also be influenced by such considerations as to how easy it is to have a fuel tank delivered and installed at your location, possibly with the view to needing to relocate it at some point too.

    Contact Northern Tank Store

    Will a steel or plastic fuel tank tick all the right boxes for your business needs?

    There isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer to which is best, as it depends on the specific requirements of each business and site. However it’s the sort of question that the team at Northern Tank Store would be pleased to help you with, so you get a tailored solution for storing and dispensing fuel that matches your ongoing operations without going bigger than you need to on size or price.

    We can also give you expert advice on such topics as whether you need single skin or bunded tanks, which are the best products for above or below ground storage of fuel, and whether horizontal or vertical tanks would be most suitable. Of course, we can help you drill down even further on steel vs plastic fuel tanks to match any budget constraints.

    Finally, by working with us to find the best solutions, whether you choose plastic or steel for your storage systems, you get the assurance that your fuel tank is safe and compliant, in terms of exacting rules on managing environmentally hazardous and flammable fuel. That’s a cast-iron guarantee!

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