…i understand that some newer cars have plastic fuel tanks. I wonder with the kind of bumps and rough roads in our country, whats is the durability of such vehicles…At the rate we are moving, i think technology might be compromising durability, we might find ourselves sticking to old hardy junks
Pls check the plastic ones before you conclude anything…hio plastic sio kama ya sahani. Its very durable
2 Likes
exactly
Plastic high-density polyethylene (HDPE) fuel tanks made by blow molding . This technology is increasingly used as it now shows its capacity to obtain very low emissions of fuel (see Partial zero-emissions vehicle ). HDPE can also take complex shapes, allowing the tank to be mounted directly over the rear axle, saving space and improving crash safety. Initially there were concerns over the low fracture toughness of HDPE, when compared to steel or aluminum. Concern for safety and long term ability to function should be considered and monitored.
my concern is on above
We have good durable plastic water pipes that withstand even continued vehicular pressure by being stepped on, just embrace the technology.
http://www.tms.org/pubs/journals/jom/9607/alvarado-9607.html
Safety
One critical part of the performance criteria of the tank is its ability to meet crash requirements. Generally, plastic tanks are considered safer in crashes because they are seamless and, thus, not prone to failures in the vulnerable seam areas. They are not a source of sparks. Also, plastic tanks deform and have some ability to rebound back to shape. When steel tanks absorb energy and deform, the pressure within the tank increases as the volume decreases. This makes them vulnerable at welded or clamped areas where failure can potentially occur.
In construction, plastic pipes and tanks last longer than their metallic colleagues. Plastic is not necessarily Kenpoly.