XLPE: A Plastic Solution for Diesel Fuel Tanks, Replacing Metal to Meet Automotive Industry Demands, Delivering Lightweighting, Durability, Safety, Rust-free, and Environmental Responsibility.

In today’s automotive industry, there is a strong focus on reducing the weight of various components to enhance performance and minimize energy consumption. Especially for large vehicles such as trucks, buses, and SUVs, which traditionally use metal fuel tanks. While metal tanks are known for their durability and long lifespan, they also have significant drawbacks, such as their heavy weight and susceptibility to corrosion from chemicals. Over time, this corrosion can lead to leakage at the weld joints, posing potential safety risks. In response to these challenges, SCGC has developed a new material, XLPE or Crosslinkable HDPE, as a replacement for metal in the construction of diesel fuel tanks. This innovation aims to reduce weight, enhance safety, and extend the service life of fuel tanks.

XLPE addresses several key disadvantages of traditional metal fuel tanks. This material can be molded into seamless, single-piece structures through the rotational molding process, significantly reducing the likelihood of damage. Even if the tank becomes deformed, the plastic has the ability to return to its original shape. Additionally, XLPE is 20% lighter than metal fuel tanks of the same capacity, contributing to overall vehicle weight reduction. This material also serves as an effective sound insulator and reduces the risk of fuel leaks caused by rust, which is a common issue in metal tanks. Furthermore, XLPE offers design flexibility, allowing fuel tanks to be molded to fit the shape of a vehicle's chassis, improving both aesthetics and space utilization. In the event of an accident, plastic fuel tanks also help mitigate the impact of explosions.

When comparing the properties of XLPE to regular HDPE, it becomes clear that this material exhibits 150% better resistance to chemical stress (Environmental Stress-Cracking Resistance or ESCR) and has a lifespan 1.5 times longer than standard HDPE. Due to its exceptional impact resistance and toughness, this material is highly capable of withstanding impacts and vibrations that may occur during transportation or while in use on the road, making it a highly reliable material for demanding applications.

Thanks to the superior properties of XLPE, this material is perfectly suited for use in automotive components and various products that require exceptional durability. Its applications include diesel fuel tanks for buses and tractors, underbody vehicle shields, fuel tanks for boats, large chemical storage tanks, and containers for chemicals or diesel fuel used in agricultural equipment.

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For more information, please contact us at rotomolding@scg.com