Storage Tank Minimal Wall Thickness Inspection

Plastic Storage Tanks, mainly for oil or fuel, are produced by a method called rotational moulding. Rotational moulding (also known as rotomoulding or rotocasting) is a method for producing hollow plastic articles. These plastic oil tanks have to comply with standards set by OFTEC, which is an oil standards agency such as CORGI is for gas, within the UK. This agency stipulates that the tanks shall have a minimum wall thickness.

Previously the way the wall thickness was checked was to cut open one of the tanks and physically measure it. Using a thickness gauge such as the new T-Gage IV gives accurate measurements without destroying the tank. This is obviously a great cost saver to the producer. Other cost savings are made from monitoring the thickness of the finished items, as too much polymer in the mould will give a thicker wall, but will cost more to produce.

Sonatest thickness gauges are being recommended to producers of these tanks by the Polymer Development Agency, who are based in Ireland, who along with Queens University Belfast are considered to be the foremost experts in rotational moulding in Europe.

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