What material is used for the water tank? Comprehensive analysis of common materials and comparison of their advantages and disadvantages
As an important equipment for storing water, the water tank's material selection directly affects its service life, water quality safety and maintenance costs. This article will combine the hot topics on the Internet in the past 10 days to provide you with a structured analysis of the characteristics of common water tank materials and provide practical purchasing suggestions.
1. Search rankings of popular water tank materials in 2023

| Ranking | Material type | Search popularity | Year-on-year change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | stainless steel | 98,500 | +12% |
| 2 | fiberglass | 76,200 | +5% |
| 3 | polyethylene | 58,400 | -3% |
| 4 | concrete | 32,100 | -8% |
| 5 | Enamel steel plate | 18,700 | +25% |
2. Performance comparison of mainstream water tank materials
| Material | Advantages | Disadvantages | Service life | Applicable scenarios |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 304 stainless steel | Corrosion-resistant, high strength, easy to clean | Higher cost, need to prevent electrochemical corrosion | 15-20 years | Domestic/commercial drinking water |
| fiberglass | Lightweight and customizable shapes | Ultraviolet rays are prone to aging and seams are prone to leakage. | 8-12 years | Industrial water/fire water tank |
| food grade polyethylene | No heavy metal precipitation, low price | Poor pressure resistance and easy to deform | 5-8 years | Temporary water storage/rural water use |
| reinforced concrete | Super pressure-bearing, super large capacity | Complex construction and easy to breed algae | More than 20 years | municipal water supply system |
| Enamel steel plate | Strong anti-corrosion and hygienic standard | High transportation and installation requirements | 12-15 years | Hospital/food factory |
3. Focus on recent hot issues
1.Stainless steel water tank rust problem: Recently, rust spots have been exposed in 304 stainless steel water tanks in many places. Experts pointed out that the main reasons are chloride ion corrosion (in coastal areas) or substandard welding processes.
2.Plastic water tank safety controversy: Plasticizer migration was detected in a certain brand of polyethylene water tank, triggering extensive discussions on the use of recycled materials. It is recommended to choose products with NSF certification.
3.The rise of new composite materials: Carbon fiber reinforced water tanks are 40% lighter than stainless steel and have become a new favorite in the high-end market, but the price is 3-5 times that of traditional materials.
4. Purchasing Guide: Match materials according to needs
| Usage requirements | Recommended materials | Budget reference (yuan/ton) |
|---|---|---|
| household drinking water | 304 stainless steel | 800-1200 |
| agricultural irrigation | FRP/polyethylene | 300-600 |
| Water supply for high-rise buildings | 316L stainless steel | 1500-2000 |
| Chemical storage liquid | PP plastic lined steel shell | 2000+ |
5. Industry development trends
1.Intelligent monitoring: New water tanks in 2023 are generally equipped with water quality sensors and remote monitoring functions. Stainless steel is the first choice due to its excellent electromagnetic compatibility.
2.Environmental regulations are becoming stricter: The new national standard GB/T 17219-2023 increases the precipitate limit standard for water tank materials by 30%, prompting companies to upgrade raw materials.
3.Modular design: The installation efficiency of assembled stainless steel water tanks is 50% higher than that of traditional welded ones, making it a mainstream choice for commercial projects.
Conclusion:The selection of water tank materials requires comprehensive consideration of budget, usage environment and water quality requirements. It is recommended to give priority to products that have passed ISO9001, NSF and other certifications, and perform regular water tank cleaning and maintenance to ensure water safety.
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