High-Density Polyethylene

Wall thickness is driven by tank diameter and fill height, not by capacity alone. We design every welded HDPE tank using the hoop-stress methodology in DVS 2205 (the German PE tank standard most Australian fabricators reference) and the AS/NZS 4766 wall calc framework. As a guide, small fabricated tanks around 1,000L typically run 8mm to 12mm walls; mid-size 2,000L to 5,000L tanks step up to 12mm to 15mm; and large industrial tanks above 10,000L use 20mm to 30mm walls with welded ribs or external bracing. Final thickness depends on liquid density, service temperature and whether the tank is open or closed, so every tank gets an individual wall calc before fabrication.

HDPE is resistant to most acids, alkalis, alcohols, salts and aqueous solutions used in industry, including dilute sulphuric, hydrochloric, sodium hydroxide and sodium hypochlorite. It is not suitable for strong oxidising acids (fuming nitric, concentrated sulphuric above 70%), chlorinated solvents or aromatic hydrocarbons such as toluene. Send us the SDS and we will confirm compatibility before quoting.

Yes. HDPE is one of the easiest thermoplastics to weld, using hot air welding with HDPE rod or extrusion welding. Per DVS 2203-1 (the German weld-testing standard) a well-executed extrusion weld reaches a short-term welding factor of around 0.8, meaning about 80 percent of the parent sheet's tensile strength. The long-term creep factor per DVS 2203-4 sits near 0.4, which is the figure we engineer to for tanks, bunds and bulk storage. Our PE welding follows the parameters in DVS 2207-1 and DVS 2207-4.

Food-grade HDPE is available and is widely used for cutting boards, chopping blocks, food processing parts and drinking water tanks. We supply HDPE certified to FDA 21 CFR 177.1520 for food contact and AS 4020 for potable water on request. Always specify food grade at quote time; not all stock sheet is certified.

HDPE is notoriously hard to bond because of its low surface energy. Standard adhesives will not stick reliably without surface preparation. For permanent joints we always recommend welding. If welding is not an option, flame or corona treatment plus a specialist polyolefin primer can give a serviceable bond, but never use it on watertight or load-bearing work.

Black HDPE with carbon black additive holds up indefinitely outdoors and is the standard choice for outdoor tanks, agricultural use and infrastructure. Natural and coloured HDPE will chalk slightly and lose some surface gloss after a few years of full sun, though structural performance is largely unaffected. For long-term outdoor exposure, specify a UV-stabilised grade.

UHMWPE has a much longer polymer chain, which gives it dramatically better wear resistance and a lower coefficient of friction than standard HDPE. UHMWPE is the right pick for chute liners, hopper liners, conveyor wear strips and parts that slide under load. HDPE remains the right pick for tanks, bunds, pipework and general fabrications because it welds and is much cheaper.

Yes. We deliver finished HDPE work and stock sheet from our Yatala workshop across the Gold Coast, Brisbane, Ipswich, Logan, Redlands and the Sunshine Coast. We also freight Queensland-wide and into northern New South Wales for larger orders. Pickup from Yatala is welcome by appointment.