I guess we are never too old to learn new tricks! This week, I came across a practice that I was 100% certain I was being “punked.” The practice is called “welding,” but it’s done on a Polyethylene Plastic tank! Technically, it meets the definition of “welding”…
Welding is a fabrication process that joins materials—typically metals or thermoplastics—by using high heat to melt the base parts together, often with a filler material, allowing them to cool and form a strong fusion bond.
I have never seen or even heard of it. But it seems I have been living in the dark, as there are companies whose sole business is repairing Polyethylene tanks by welding on them. Now, in my defense, they cannot provide me with a RAGAGEP for this practice/repair, but this apparently is becoming popular, as Polyethylene Tanks are growing in popularity for low-volatility hazardous chemicals such as Caustic.
Would you repair your tank or simply replace it?
Here is a video showing a DIY repair using the same equipment/technique a chemical business would use.