Aluminum Alloy for Tank Truck
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Aluminum Alloy for Tank Truck

Aluminum alloy materials have the characteristics of low density, good electrical conductivity, strong corrosion resistance, good heat dissipation and easy processing, so they are widely used in vehicles. Another important feature of it is that it has high relative mechanical properties, which can meet the requirements for the use of tank truck materials and meet the requirements of development trends. It is one of the important ways for the development of lightweight technology.

Why choose aluminum alloy as tank truck material?

Compared with traditional carbon steel tank cars, aluminum alloy materials have many advantages, which are mainly reflected in the following aspects.

Light weight and greater load capacity

The density of aluminum alloy is only about 1/3 of that of steel. The application of aluminum alloy materials on powder tank semi-trailers can greatly reduce the curb weight of powder tank semi-trailers.

Low operating costs and high economic benefits

Since aluminum alloy tank trucks are lighter in weight than carbon steel tank trucks, fuel consumption and tire wear during transportation are reduced, thereby reducing daily operating and maintenance costs. Studies have shown that about 60% of the fuel used by a car is consumed by the car's own weight, and every one ton reduction in the curb weight of a car can save about 6L of fuel per 100 kilometers.

Corrosion resistance, good quality for oil transportation

After aluminum oxide is formed on the surface of the aluminum alloy, it will not rust in several years of use, which directly guarantees the quality of the transported oil. Once the carbon steel tank truck is stopped for a long time, the inside of the tank body will rust immediately, which is easy to pollute the oil.

Conductive performance is safer

The use of aluminum alloy tanks is conducive to the timely conduction of static electricity generated during oil loading, unloading and transportation, reducing the probability of accidents.

From the perspective of driving safety, the aluminum alloy tank car has small inertia in collision and reduced braking distance. The impact of plastic materials on the human body is smaller, so it will be safer.

High recycling value

In addition, the aluminum alloy tank truck also has the characteristics of higher residual value, long service life, more environmental protection and more energy saving. Compared with carbon steel materials, aluminum alloys are corrosion-resistant, and components made of aluminum alloys have high reuse value, and about 95% of aluminum alloys can be reused.

Aluminum plates for tank truck

Aluminum alloy tank trailer generally consist of tank body, frame, axle, air suspension, piping system, electrical system, support device, auxiliary braking system (ABS), safety accessories and other parts. Single tank trucks also need to be equipped with special chassis for dangerous goods. All safety accessories such as side guardrails, tail guardrails, tank top movable guardrails, tank top enclosures, piping boxes, accessory boxes, fenders, fire extinguisher boxes, etc. are all made of aluminum alloy.

Tank body composition of aluminum tank

The aluminum tank body adopts a nearly circular cross section. It is composed of tank body, head, partition, anti-wave divider board(baffles) and other components. The thickness of the tank body is 6mm, the head and partition are 7mm, and the anti-wave baffles plate is 6mm. An aluminum alloy manhole and hole body are installed on the top of the tank, and a manhole with a diameter of 500mm is set on the anti-wave baffles plate. It is convenient for inspection and maintenance of the upper and lower tanks and observation of the liquid in the tank. The stress points of the tank structure are distributed reasonably and the performance is reliable. The head, clapboard, and anti-wave baffles plate all adopt a shallow dish-shaped structure, which has better impact resistance, and is formed by a hydraulic expansion machine.

Aluminum tanks commonly use 5000 series aluminum alloy aluminum plates, such as 5083 O/H111 alloy aluminum plates, 5454 O/H111/H32 alloy aluminum plates, 5182 O/H111 alloy aluminum plates, and other parts also use 3003 alloy aluminum plates.

Aluminum tanks commonly use aluminum alloy

5083 O/H111 aluminum plate for tank truck

Al-Mg alloys are usually widely used as tank materials, among which 5083 is the most common aluminum-magnesium alloy, which has good welding performance, corrosion resistance and processing performance, and medium strength, so it is a more commonly used tank material. In the temperature range of 135°C, the mechanical properties of 5083 (0/H111) are better than those of 5454 (O/H111); at the same time, according to the "Cement Quality Management Regulations", the temperature of the cement after grinding should not exceed 135°C, so it is necessary when the temperature of the bulk material is not higher than 135°C, such as cement, the tank material of the aluminum alloy powder tank semi-trailer should be 5083 (0/H111) material. In addition, 5083 (O/H111) material has a sufficient market practice basis as the tank body material of powder tank trucks in Europe.

5083 aluminum tank plate

Chemical composition of 5083 aluminum tank plate

Si 0.40
Fe 0.40
Cu 0.10
Mn 0.40-1.00
Mg 4.0-4.9
Cr 0.05-0.25
Ni -
Zn 0.25
Ti 0.15
Al Remainder

Mechanical Properties of 5083 Aluminum Plates

Alloy 5083
Temper O/H111
Tension strength Rp0.2/MPa 290-370
Yield strength Rm/MPa ≥145
Elongation A50mm/% ≥17

The allowable stress of 5083 O/H111 aluminum plate at different temperatures

temperature allowable stress
20℃ 83.3
50℃ 83.3
75℃ 83.3
100℃ 79.3
125℃ 48.7
150℃ 28.7
175℃ 16.0
200℃ 10.0

Specification of 5083 O/H111 aluminum plate sheet for tank truck trailer

Alloy 5083
Temper O/H111
Thickness 3-10mm
Width 1000-2650mm
Length 2000-16000mm
Surface Mill finsh, bright mirror finish

Application of 5083 O/H111 aluminum plate

5083 H111 aluminum plate is normally used as tank body and wave shields, 5083 O aluminum plate sheet is softer than H111, used for tank lid which needs bending, and the bulkhead of the tank truck also use 5083 O aluminum sheet.

5083 mirror finish tanker aluminum plate is generally used in areas with high temperature. The surface of this tanker is like a mirror, which reflects sunlight, reduces its own temperature, and ensures the safety of oil and gas transportation.

Application of 5083 O/H111 aluminum plate

5454 O/H111/H32 aluminum plate for tank truck

5454 aluminum plate is an aluminum-magnesium alloy suitable for use under high temperature conditions, and has good strength and corrosion resistance at high temperatures. When the long-term use temperature is above 135°C, 5454 (O/H111) has better strength than 5083 (0/H111) aluminum-magnesium alloy. Therefore, the 5454 aluminum alloy tank truck plate is the preferred material for manufacturing tank trucks in the high temperature regions of the Middle East and North Africa, and the mirror surface is preferred to further achieve the effect of self-cooling.

5454 O/H111/H32 aluminum alloy plate for tank truck

Chemical Composition of 5454 Aluminum Tank Plate

Si 0.25
Fe 0.40
Cu 0.10
Mn 0.50-1.00
Mg 2.4-3.0
Cr 0.05-0.20
Ni -
Zn 0.25
Ti 0.20
Al Remainder

Mechanical Properties of 5454 Aluminum Plates Sheets for Tank truck with a Thickness of 3-6mm at Room Temperature

Alloy 5454
Temper O/H111
Tension strength Rp0.2/MPa 215-285
Yield strength Rm/MPa ≥85
Elongation A50mm/% ≥19

The allowable stress of 5454 O/H111 aluminum plate with a thickness of 3-6mm at different temperatures

temperature allowable stress
20℃ 56.7
50℃ 56.7
75℃ 55.3
100℃ 54
125℃ 45.3
150℃ 31.3
175℃ 21.3
200℃ 15.3

Specification of 5454 O/H111 aluminum plate for fuel tank truck

Alloy 5454
Temper O, H111, H32
Thickness 3-10mm
Width 1000-2650mm
Length 2000-16000mm
Surface Mill finsh, bright mirror finish

Application of 5454 O/H111/H32 aluminum oil tank plate

Application of 5454 O/H111/H32 aluminum oil tank plate

Our aluminum tank plate is good for fusion welding, both mill finish and shinny bright mirror finish are available, which is selling well in middle east area.

5454 H32 aluminum plate sheet is mainly used for insulation tanks and polishing tank truck.

5454 H32 H111 aluminum plate in 5-6mm normally be used as tank body; and 5454 O aluminum plate in 7mm can be used for making tanker head; and 5454 O aluminum plate in 5-6mm could be used as wash board.

5182 O/H111 aluminum plate for tank truck

5182 is a special aluminum plate for tank trucks. It is a new high-magnesium alloy developed in recent years for tank truck storage and dangerous goods transportation that meets the requirements of ADR (European Convention on the International Road Transport of Dangerous Goods) . When calculating the minimum thickness value of the shell, ADR uses "tensile strength × elongation" to describe the mechanical properties of the cylinder material. The corresponding elongation of 5182 (O/H111) is higher than 5083 (0/H111) and 5454 (O/H111).

Chemical Composition of 5182 aluminum tanker plate

Si 0.60
Fe 0.70
Cu 0.05-0.20
Mn 1.00-1.50
Mg -
Cr -
Ni -
Zn 0.10
Ti -
Al Remainder

Mechanical Properties of 5182 Aluminum Plates Sheets for Tank Cars with a Thickness of 3-6mm at Room Temperature

Alloy 5182
Temper O/H111
Tension strength Rp0.2/MPa 280-350
Yield strength Rm/MPa ≥125
Elongation A50mm/% ≥26

Specification of 5182 O/H111 aluminum oil tank plate

Alloy 5182
Temper O, H111
Thickness 3-10mm
Width 1000-2650mm
Length 2000-16000mm
Surface Mill finsh, bright mirror finish

Application of 5182 O/H111 aluminum plates

Our aluminum tank plate is good for fusion welding, surface can be mill finish and shinny bright mirror finish, which is widely used for making dangerous goods transport tank trucks, and our 5182 aluminum plate occupy most of the European market.

5182 H111 aluminum plate in 4-7mm normally be used as tank body; and 5182 O aluminum plate in 3-6mm can be used for making tanker head, bulkhead and wash board.

Application of 5182 O/H111 aluminum plates

3003 aluminum plate for tank truck

Because 3003 has lower strength than Al-Mg series alloys and the market price of 3003 materials is low, it is usually used as non-important strength parts such as toolbox door panels, bottom panels, and tank top walkways. 3003 aluminum diamond plate is widely used as stair board, and used for making tool box in tank truck.

Chemical Composition of 3003 aluminum plate

Si 0.20
Fe 0.35
Cu 0.15
Mn 0.20-0.50
Mg 4.0-5.0
Cr 0.10
Ni -
Zn 0.25
Ti 0.10
Al Remainder

Mechanical Properties of 3-6mm thickness 3003 aluminum plate for tank cars at room temperature

Alloy 3003
Temper H14/H24
Tension strength Rp0.2/MPa 145-185
Yield strength Rm/MPa ≥125
Elongation A50mm/% ≥4

Specification of 3003 H14 H24 aluminum plates for fuel tank truck

Alloy 3003
Temper H14, H24
Thickness 3-6mm
Width 1000-2650mm
Length 2000-16000mm
Surface Mill finsh, bright mirror finish

Application of 3003 aluminum alloy tank truck plate

The 3003 aluminum tread plate has excellent anti-corrosion performance, and is widely used in steps, aisles and other parts, and plays the role of anti-corrosion and anti-skid. The 3003 aluminum plate is also used in the supporting parts of the tanker, such as the air tank, fender, suspension and so on.

Application of 3003 aluminum alloy tank truck plate

Aluminum alloy profiles for tank truck - 6061 and 6063

The tank truck is mainly composed of tank body, aluminum alloy chassis assembly, traveling mechanism, traction device assembly, ladder, hoarding and accessories. 6000 series alloys are usually used as extruded aluminum profiles in structural parts such as pipes, protection, and girders on powder tank semi-trailers, among which 6061 and 6063 materials are the most widely used. The mechanical properties of 6061 aluminum alloy extruded profiles with a thickness of 8~16mm at room temperature can be seen that 6061 is better than 6063 in the same heat treatment state. At the same time, due to the increase of silicon and manganese content, the welding performance is reduced, because 6063 has better welding performance than 6061.

Chemical Composition of 6061 Alloy

Si 0.40-0.80
Fe 0.70
Cu 0.15-0.40
Mn 0.15
Mg 0.80-1.20
Cr 0.04-0.35
Ni -
Zn 0.25
Ti 0.15
Al Remainder

Chemical Composition of 6063 Alloy

Si 0.20-0.60
Fe 0.35
Cu 0.10
Mn 0.10
Mg 0.45-0.90
Cr 0.10
Ni -
Zn 0.10
Ti 0.10
Al Remainder

Mechanical properties of 6061 and 6063 aluminum alloy extrusion with a thickness of 8-10mm at room temperature

Alloy Temper Tension Strength Rp0.2/MPa Yield Strength Rm/MPa Elongation A50mm/%
6061 T4 180 110 13
T5 240 205 7
T6 260 240 8
6063 T4 130 65 12
T5 160 110 5
T6 215 170 6

Specification of 6061 6063 Aluminum alloy extrusion for tank truck

Alloy 6061, 6063
Temper T6, T5
Wall Thickness 3-10mm
Type L type, T type, round tube, triangular beam etc.
Length 2000-16000mm
Surface Mill finsh, anodized surface

Application of 6061 6063 Aluminum alloy extrusion for tank truck

Extruded aluminum profiles should be mostly used for the frame, and "T" profiles extruded from aluminum-magnesium alloy 6061 T6, such as L-shaped beams, T-shaped beams, triangular beams and other wing plate profiles made of 6061 material. Under the premise of ensuring the strength of the chassis assembly, the weight of the chassis has dropped by about 65%.

The underframe assembly is made of aluminum-magnesium alloy 6061 T6 "T" profile, and the underframe assembly is mainly composed of intermediate beams, T-shaped reinforcing beams, longitudinal beams, and traction device assemblies. The middle beam, T-shaped reinforced beam and longitudinal beam are all made of aluminum-magnesium alloy.

Application of 6061 6063 Aluminum alloy extrusion for tank truck

Aluminum welding wire rod for tank truck

There are many welding methods for aluminum alloy tank materials, and each method has its different application occasions. At present, the main welding methods for welding aluminum alloy lightweight vehicles include manual AC tungsten argon arc welding (manual TIG welding), automatic wire-feeding double-pulse AC tungsten argon arc welding (referred to as automatic TIG welding), automatic/semi-automatic melting electrode Argon arc welding (automatic/semi-automatic MIG welding) three welding methods.

ER5183 and ER5356 welding wires are two commonly used welding wires for tank car welding. Chalco Aluminum welding wires can fully meet the welding requirements and are often used to replace well-known welding wire brands, reducing production costs for customers.

Aluminum welding wire rod for tank truck

Aluminum alloy tank truck plate welding technical requirements

1) Mechanical performance requirements of welded joints

The 5000 series aluminum alloys are the strongest. Although aluminum-silicon welding wire has high crack resistance, the post-weld tensile strength Rm≥275 MPa, and the broken body length A≥ 17%.

2) The performance of welded joints

In addition to the composition of the base metal, the choice of filler metal is also related to the geometric shape of the joint, the corrosion resistance requirements during operation, and the appearance requirements of the weldment; after welding, no less than 10% of each weld requires X-ray flaw detection Grade III is qualified, and the pass rate of the automatic welding seam flaw detection of the tank plate is≥95%; it can only leave the factory after passing the water test and leak test.

ER5356 aluminium alloy welding wire rod

Physical property of ER5356 aluminium alloy welding wire rod

Tension Strength(MPa) Yield Strength(MPa) Elongation (%)
250-300 110-140 15-25
Density kg/dm3 2.65
Melting temperature℃ 575-633
Thermal conductivity w/m•K 120
Linear expansion coefficient 10-6/K(20-100℃) 24.1
Electric conductivity % IACS 29

ER5356 Aluminium & Aluminium Alloy Welding Wire

Classification GB/T 10858-2008 HS 331
AWS A5.10 ER 5356
Typical composition in % Si: <0.25
Fe:<0.40
Cu:<0.10
Mn:0.05—0.20
Mg:4.50—5.50
Cr:0.05—0.20
Zn:<0.10
Be:<0.0003
Ti:0.06—0.20
Others:<0.05
Others Total:<0.15
Physical properties (Approx.Values) 0.2% yield strength Rpo2 (Mpa):110
Tensile Strength Rm (Mpa):240
Elongation A5 (L0=5d0) (%):17
Test Temperature (℃):20
Performance & Usage This type of product is widely used in general welding material with the Mg of 5%, which can be used in jointing or overlay forging and casting alloys processing. And the product is of high toughness, good forgeability, and well anti-comosiveness.
Shielding gas Argon, Helium, or Argon/Helium—mixtures.
DimensionsΦ MIG—wires (mm): 0.8; 0.9; 1.0; 1.2; 1.6; 2.0; 2.4
TIG—rods(mm): 1.6; 2.0; 2.4; 3.2; 4.0; 5.0; 6.0
Wire Packagings Mig Wires: S100/0.5kg 1Lb, S200/2kg, S270-S300/6kg-7kg
Tig Rod: 5/10kg; length: 1000mm

ER5183 aluminium alloy welding wire rod

Physical property of ER183 aluminium alloy welding wire rod

Density kg/dm3 2.65
Melting temperature℃ 574-638
Thermal conductivity w/m•K 120
Linear expansion coefficient 10-6/K(20-100℃) 24.2
Electric conductivity % IACS 29

Weld Mechanical Properties (reference value)

Tension Strength (MPa) Yield Strength (MPa) Elongation (%)
275-300 125-140 15-20
Classification GB/T 10858-2008AWS A5.10 ER 5183
Typical composition in % Si: <0.40
Fe: <0.40
Cu: <0.10
Mn: 0.05—1.00
Mg: 4.30—5.20
Cr: 0.05—0.25
Zn: <0.25
Be: <0.0003
Ti: <0.15
Others: <0.05
Others Total: <0.15
Physical properties (Approx.Values) 0.2% yield strength Rpo2 (Mpa): 125
Tensile Strength Rm (Mpa): 275
Elongation A5 (L0=5d0) (%): 17
Test Temperature (℃): 20
Performance & Usage This type of product is widely used in general welding material with the Mg of 4.5%, which can be used in jointing or overlay forging and casting alloys processing in the same grade. Usage:pressure vessel, nuclear, ship-building, boiler, space industry, etc .
Shielding gas Argon, Helium, or Argon/Helium—mixtures.
Dimensions MIG—wires (mm): 0.8; 0.9; 1.0; 1.2; 1.6; 2.0; 2.4
TIG—rods (mm): 1.6; 2.0; 2.4; 3.2; 4.0; 5.0; 6.0
Wire Packagings Mig Wires: S100/0.5kg 1Lb, S200/2kg, S270-S300/6kg-7kg
Tig Rod: 5/10kg; length: 1000mm

Why choose us as supplier of tank truck?

SMS rolling mill can produce aluminum wide plate with a flat shape and neat trimming.

Chalco aluminum plate is available for different welding methods such as TIG, MIG, FSW, EBW, etc.

Chalco aluminum have many extrusion ready mould for tank truck extrusion, which could save clients too much cost.

Chalco aluminum provide aluminum super wide plate for tankers. The aluminum plate width can reach 2650mm, both mill finish and bright mirror finish aluminum plate are available.

Chalco aluminum also have welding wire solution for tank truck manufacturer, no matter big quantity and small quantity all available.

Chalco Aluminum is best tank truck aluminum supplier

Chalco Aluminum not only supply you tank truck aluminum plate, aluminum profile and aluminum welding wire, but also could customize different solution according to tank truck manufacturer's special need. We have many ready mould for tank truck aluminum extrusion for client selection, which could save client's cost, and small quantity 5183 5356 welding wire is available for you. Therefore, one stop solution, Chalco aluminum is your best tank truck aluminum supplier!

Do you have the aluminum you need?

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