Serving the Bay Area & Northern California for over 35 Years
Why Choose FRP for Water Tank Liners and Tank Repairs
Metal storage tanks are extremely susceptible to corrosion, and there will come a time when they will need to be repaired or replaced. Replacing a storage tank is sometimes unavoidable, but it is also a much more costly option. In most cases, it’s best to stick with water tank repair unless the bottom of a tank is no longer salvageable. This usually involves installing new water tank liners, which have evolved over the years to be far stronger and more resistant to heat and corrosion than they’ve been in the past. This is largely thanks to FRP.
What is FRP?
FRP, or fiber-reinforced plastic, is a composite material made from a polymer matrix that has been reinforced with fibers. These fibers are usually made of glass, carbon, aramid, or basalt, but wood and asbestos can sometimes be used as well. The material was first used in water tank liners in the 1950s, and more recent technological advances have made the material more useful than perhaps ever before. FRP tank liners can last for over 35 years when they’re installed properly, and they can withstand pressures of 37psi to 82psi depending on whether a single laminate or a double laminate is used. FRP is also highly resistant to corrosion and heat, making it ideal for storing caustic chemicals, and it can be installed quickly and easily. It can bridge holes that are up to 8 inches in diameter when applied to a damaged water tank bottom, and it can be applied quickly and easily, making FRP tank repairs a relatively simple matter.
As for the downsides of FRP linings, the biggest is that pigmented laminates can make it difficult to see the extent of the corrosion at the bottom of metal storage tanks. Fortunately, new technology allows technicians to use magnets and locate badly corroded areas of a steel storage tank even through a particularly thick FRP liner. Applicators also need to be aware of proper installation procedures and ensure that substrates are kept free of contaminants before application. This sounds like something that should go without saying, but it can become a serious issue when proper procedures aren’t followed.
If your business uses steel storage tanks to store potable water or other liquids, FRP linings are easily the best way to make repairs. They can be installed quickly and easily, and they withstand corrosion and heat far better than steel tanks can on their own. FRP tank lining technology continues to evolve, so we can only expect newer linings to be even more viable in the future when it comes to storage solutions.
Contact FRP Water Tank Liners and Repairs Specialists in Northern California
Picon is a full-service manufacturer and field service provider of industrial fiber reinforced plastic (FRP or fiberglass) and anti-corrosion products, tank repairs, custom fabrication, and industrial sand blasting. Call 510-232-0065 or contact us from our website today to discuss your tank lining or repair needs.
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