Fiberglass Tank vs. Concrete Tanks—What’s the Better Option?

When it comes to industrial applications, concrete and fiberglass are two common materials used for constructing storage tanks. However, since the tank can be used to store a wide variety of substances including food, minerals, or chemicals, careful thought needs to be given to the selection process.

Objectively speaking, fiberglass tanks provide several benefits that cannot be found in concrete tanks. In this blog, we’ll be discussing why fiberglass tanks are the superior choice when it comes to storage purposes.

Durable

Unlike their counterparts, fiberglass tanks do not contract or expand when exposed to varying temperatures. Concrete tanks undergo contraction and expansion which results in leaks and cracks, as stated by an article published by the American Water Works Association. Not only does this incur higher repair and maintenance costs, but it also reduces the tank’s operational life.

Lightweight

Apart from weighing far less than concrete tanks, fiberglass tanks are also cheaper to install and transport since they’re manufactured as a single unit. Given how heavy concrete weighs, manufacturers need to develop the tank in different stages. It also makes the transportation and installation process more difficult.

Concrete tanks can take up to a month to install due to the cure time whereas fiberglass tanks can be installed in a single day.

Corrosion Resistant

The interior walls of concrete are porous making it vulnerable to corrosion. Fiberglass tanks are non-porous making them resistant to corrosion and capable of handling volatile contents including sulfuric acid and sulfide, elements that corrode concrete over time.

Leaching Resistant

Since concrete is porous and contains calcium carbonate, it’s susceptible to leaching. If the content of the tank is acidic water, the leached calcium will result in hard water. Another issue with porous concrete is that it provides space for bacteria to grow.

Inexpensive

Concrete tanks are expensive to repair, remove, and install. There’s also the threat of cracks developing which can cause the contents to leak out and harm the employees.

Fiberglass tanks and vessels surpass concrete tanks in quality, durability, and safety. Hudson Fiberglass provides a range of FRP services including tank inspection services, fiberglass tank repair, fiberglass piping, fiberglass surface coating, field wielding, and tank and pipe repair for industrial clients. Contact us today for more information.