The tank truck aluminum sheet is not a specific grade but a general term for aluminum sheets used in the manufacturing of tank trucks. Common alloys include 5083, 5182, 5454, and 5754, each offering a balance of strength, corrosion resistance, and weldability ideal for liquid transport vehicles.
The body structure of a tank truck consists mainly of coamings, anti-wave plates, and tank openings. Currently, the most widely used tank materials include carbon steel, stainless steel, and aluminum alloys. With the global trend toward lightweight transportation, aluminum alloy has become increasingly popular in the tank truck industry due to its excellent strength-to-weight ratio and corrosion resistance.
These fuel tanker trucks are designed to transport a wide range of liquids, including gasoline, crude oil, lubricating oils, vegetable oils, liquid ammonia, water, alcoholic beverages, and various acidic or alkaline liquids. Compared with carbon steel, aluminum alloy offers superior corrosion resistance and higher strength at a significantly lighter weight, making it the preferred choice for modern tank truck manufacturing.
Specifications of Tank Truck Aluminum Sheets
| Alloy | Temper | Thickness (mm) | Width (mm) | Length (mm) | Typical Products |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5083 | F, O, H12–H38, H111, H112, H114, H116, H321 | 0.5–500 | 20–2650 | 500–16000 | Ship plates, LNG storage tanks, gas cylinders, GIS shells, vehicle body panels, flange materials, etc. |
| 5182 | O, H12–H38, H111, H112, H114, H116, H321 | 0.15–600 | 20–2650 | 500–16000 | Ship decks and outer hulls, refrigeration systems, tank trucks, oxygen generator towers, automobile panels, etc. |
| 5454 | F, O, H12–H38, H111, H112, H114, H116, H321 | 0.3–600 | 20–2650 | 500–16000 | Fuel tanks, tank truck cylinders, marine pipelines, automobile wheels, etc. |
| 5754 | F, O, H12–H38, H111, H112, H114 | 0.1–500 | 20–2650 | 500–16000 | Tank car sheets, train interiors and exteriors, flooring panels, high-speed rail soundproof panels, etc. |
Common Alloys for Tank Truck Aluminum Sheets
5083 Tank Truck Aluminum Sheet
5083 aluminum belongs to the Al-Mg series alloy, with magnesium as the primary alloying element. It offers excellent corrosion resistance, outstanding weldability, good cold workability, and medium strength. These properties make it widely used in aircraft fuel tanks, oil pipes, ship components, tank trucks, instrument panels, and electrical housings.
Typically, 5083 aluminum sheets for tank trucks are under 12.5m in length, 2.2m in width, and 5–8mm thick. A complete tank body usually requires 4–6 aluminum sheets welded together. The main tank body uses 5083-H111 aluminum, while the tank heads and partitions are made from the softer 5083-O aluminum, which allows easy bending and forming.
5182 Tank Truck Aluminum Sheet
5182 aluminum is known for its excellent formability, strength, and fatigue resistance. It offers high corrosion resistance and good thermal conductivity, making it widely used in automotive insulation panels, tank truck bodies, and vehicle structures.
5454 Tank Truck Aluminum Sheet
As one of GNEE's key products, 5454 aluminum sheets are available in O and H tempers, with a thickness range of 0.15–600mm, width range of 20–2650mm, and length up to 16000mm. This alloy has high strength-about 20% greater than 5052 aluminum-and provides excellent resistance to rust and corrosion.
Advantages of GNEE 5454 Aluminum Sheet for Tank Trucks:
Lightweight: Aluminum alloy has a density of 2.71g/cm³, about one-third that of steel, greatly reducing vehicle weight.
Corrosion Resistance: Aluminum tanks can transport a wide variety of liquids without requiring internal coatings, ensuring cleaner oil.
High Recycling Value: Aluminum retains its integrity after years of use and can be recycled easily, offering long-term sustainability.
High Safety: Aluminum's good electrical conductivity prevents static electricity buildup, reducing the risk of explosion during collisions.
5754 Tank Truck Aluminum Sheet
5754 aluminum alloy is a typical Al-Mg rust-proof alloy with medium strength, good corrosion resistance, excellent weldability, and easy formability. It is widely used in vehicle manufacturing, canning, storage tanks, rail transit, ships, and pressure vessels.
Performance Advantages of GNEE 5754 Aluminum Sheet:
High strength and elongation, ensuring compatibility with gasoline and diesel without contamination.
Excellent corrosion resistance: even when scratched, the surface won't rust or require additional anti-corrosion treatment.
Long service life: Old aluminum tanks can often be reused on new chassis, and scrapped tanks have high recycling value.
Why Choose Aluminum Alloy for Tank Trucks
Aluminum alloy tank trucks significantly reduce vehicle weight, improve fuel efficiency, and extend service life, while offering better environmental performance and safety.
Throughout their full life cycle, they generate higher economic benefits compared to traditional carbon steel tanks.
The 5000-series (Al-Mg) aluminum alloys offer strong corrosion resistance, effectively resisting degradation from fuels and chemicals, thus ensuring a longer tank life.
Advantages of Using GNEE Aluminum Plates for Tank Truck Manufacturing:
Lightweight: Over 4 tons lighter than a steel tank truck, improving fuel efficiency.
Excellent Weldability: Ensures tight, high-strength joints.
Increased Capacity: Larger payload capacity boosts profitability.
Enhanced Safety: No spark generation in collisions due to aluminum's high conductivity.
Low Maintenance: No anti-corrosion treatment needed; typical service life exceeds 10 years.
Mechanical Properties of Tank Truck Aluminum Sheets
| Alloy | Temper | Thickness (mm) | Tensile Strength (R/Mpa) | 0.2% Yield Strength (Rp0.2/Mpa) | Elongation (%) | 180° Bending Radius |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5083 | O / H111 | ≥4.0–6.0 / >6.0–8.0 | 290–350 | 125–185 | ≥20 | 1.5t / 4t |
| 5083 | H321 / H32 / H116 | ≥4.0–6.0 / >6.0–8.0 | 305–387 | 215–296 | ≥12 | 3t / 6t |
| 5182 | O / H111 | ≥4.0–6.0 / >6.0–8.0 | 280–350 | 125–175 | ≥26 | 1t / 2t |
| 5454 | O / H111 | ≥4.0–6.0 / >6.0–8.0 | 215–285 | 85–135 | ≥20 | 1t / 2t |
| 5454 | H32 | ≥4.0–6.0 / >6.0–8.0 | 250–305 | 180–220 | ≥12 | – |
Notes:
The tensile direction of the specimen must be parallel to the rolling direction.
During bending tests, the bending axis should be parallel to the rolling direction.
t represents the plate thickness.
GNEE - a leading Chinese supplier of tank truck aluminum sheets, offering 5083, 5182, 5454, and 5754 alloys with stable quality, excellent formability, and corrosion resistance. GNEE provides customized sizes and tempers for global transportation, energy, and chemical storage industries.