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ASTM D 1998 Tank Standards

The ASTM standard for vertical polyethylene storage tanks, and what it means when you compare tanks.

What the standard covers

ASTM D 1998 is the American Society for Testing and Materials standard for rotationally molded vertical polyethylene storage tanks over 500 gallons. It applies to tanks made from crosslinked polyethylene (XLPE) and non-crosslinked polyethylene (HDPE), with closed or open tops.

The standard sets minimum wall thicknesses based on the tank’s height, outside diameter and specific gravity rating, and it builds in a significant safety factor by using conservative values for resin properties.

Which Bailiff tanks meet it

Bailiff-molded HDPE vertical tanks of 500 gallons and larger, including double wall tanks built only from Bailiff-molded tanks, are built to ASTM D 1998-21 wall thickness specifications. Each tank’s detail page shows this when it applies.

The standard does not cover polypropylene or PVDF tanks, cone bottom, horizontal or rectangular tanks, or tanks under 500 gallons. Some double wall tanks use an inner or outer tank molded by a partner, so we don’t list them as ASTM D 1998 tanks.

Compare apples to apples

Two tanks can look alike while one has thinner walls. When you compare quotes, ask whether each vertical polyethylene tank meets ASTM D 1998.

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