Gas cans - really

[dragoneggs]

I cannot believe that people are saying that plastic fuel containers are great, I'm 50 years old and I'm sick of everything being made out of plastic, it cracks, leaks, breaks, expands. Can people honestly say that plastic is good, every consumer product that is made out of plastic fails, and we the consumer keep getting ripped off. I can't tell you how many household items I throw in the trash every year that's made out of plastic that fails. These Just rite containers work perfect, I just filled up three today, and had them in back of my jeep and they did not leak one drop and I could not smell any fumes, and they pour perfect and you can control the flow. So please, enough with the plastic is great stories, I'm not buying it.

Huh? The present and future is plastic. And they have certain properties where metal just can't compete. A good portion of high tech products like new aircraft are made with a significant amount of plastics. It is all about performance, economy, and purpose.

 

[jcummins]

The diesel tank on my tractor is plastic. Bet the tanks on my truck and car are plastic too. I'm 74 years old and I have several plastic cans that are quite old and I've never had an crack.

 

[PILOON]

All sorts of regulations were enacted to limit fuel consumption in vehicles.

As we know plastics are derived from petroleum and I would like to know the % of the barrels go that route vs fuels.
The land fills and the oceans are loaded with all sorts of plastics which don't biodegrade but only vehicles are targeted for pollution and consumption.

I venture to suggest that plastics are by far more polluting than fuels.

Besides in many situations there are alternatives to many plastic items with paper, cardboard and glass being examples.
Trees do grow, plastic does not. Aluminum and tin can be recycled.

Could it be that we need to re-think some regulations?

 

[ArlyA]

Your tank is most likely made from HDPE which is a favorite materiel for me to work with. I have sheets that the wonderful material here. If its UV stabilized, then it will last for many, many years. Here is a good description of HDPE. High-density polyethylene - Wikipedia

The problem we have with it as a potable fuel tank (ak can) is the plastic has a low melt point, so its not class II. On a personal use, the flexible spout that most plastic cans have, just don't last. Class II steel cans have good seals as well and that includes its vent. The ones we use have a steel flexible spout on them. We also use the diesel rated ones for that type of fuel.

 

[scdeerslayer]

As we know plastics are derived from petroleum and I would like to know the % of the barrels go that route vs fuels.

I don't think it works quite like that. I'm pretty sure what gets turned in to plastics is a by-product of producing the fuels. That's one of the reasons I often wonder what would happen if we were to stop using crude for fuel like so many want. Then there would be no by-product for plastic, and plastic is in nearly everything we touch everyday. Another example of not fully thinking through the consequences.

 

[Creamer]

Most plastics are made from Natural gas as it is a lower cost source for the carbon based molecules. I have been to ExxonMobil's Baton Rouge HDPE plant which is located there because it is on the large coastal gas pipeline that supplies many chemical plants along the coast. At this plant they crack the various natural gas molecules to create the base molecules they need and then react those molecules to create the HDPE. It is about 160 acres of pipes and tanks where all this activity goes on. Not a lot to see as it is all done inside steel vessels but it is obvious what is happening when you see the flow of plastic pellets filling the rail cars at the end.

Therefore the plastic is not a by-product of the refining but a core use for the natural gas.

 

[Dadnatron]

Your tank is most likely made from HDPE which is a favorite materiel for me to work with. I have sheets that the wonderful material here.

What do you use it for and how is it used?

I've often wondered if there are things I can make, but just don't have the skill and knowledge to make them because I don't know they exist.

 

[Creamer]

HDPE is very easy to reheat and form as well as hot plate weld. You can cut it with a knife, sawzall, or router. Your imagination is your only limitation.

I cut a plastic fuel tank and put under the leading edge of logs I am skidding to keep them from digging. it has nice rounded edges and it is very tough and slippery and takes a lot of abuse.

 

[orangeandgreen]

I really like the "race" jugs.
JEGS Performance Products 8211: Square 5-Gallon Jug Red | JEGS

 

[ArlyA]

Are we getting away from fuel cans here??? I work in the snow industry and use it to make "shoes" or in general cover steel which snow passes under..

It cuts well with a sharp carbide wood blade as long as you feed it slowly. And since it has much higher expansion-contraction rates, one must attach is differently to allow this movement. I'll attach a couple of photos which shows plastic being used.. These machines do not ride on steel at all but only on HPDE plastic. I'll attach a few photos, some of the machine at work.

What do you use it for and how is it used?

I've often wondered if there are things I can make, but just don't have the skill and knowledge to make them because I don't know they exist.