Description
Technical Specifications
Mechanical & Physical Properties
| Material | 100% Virgin PP (Polypropylene) Homopolymer — zero recycled content |
| Thickness | 10mm, 12mm, 15mm, 20mm, 25mm |
| Tolerance | ±0.3mm (10-20mm) / ±0.5mm (>20mm). 5-point verified per sheet. |
| Sheet Sizes | 1220×2440mm / 1500×3000mm / 2000×3000mm |
| Density | 0.91-0.93 g/cm³ (ISO 1183) |
| Tensile Strength | 28-32 MPa (ISO 527) |
| Flexural Strength | 35-40 MPa (ISO 178) |
| Flexural Modulus | ~1,100 MPa (ISO 178) |
| Impact Strength (Notched Izod, 23°C) | 3-5 KJ/m² (ISO 180) |
| Heat Deflection Temperature (0.45 MPa) | 90-100°C (ISO 75) |
| Vicat Softening Point | 140-150°C (ISO 306) |
| Working Temperature | -40°C to 90°C |
| Water Absorption (24h) | < 0.01% (ISO 62) |
| Mold Shrinkage | 1.0-2.5% |
| Flammability | HB (UL 94). V0 grade: FR PP sheet |
| Colors | Beige (natural), Grey |
Weight & Structural Reference
| Thickness | Weight (1220×2440mm) | Handling | Structural Capacity (guideline) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10mm | 26.7 kg | One person (heavy) | Small tanks ≤2,000L with reinforcement |
| 12mm | 32.1 kg | Two-person | Tanks 2,000-5,000L with steel frame |
| 15mm | 40.1 kg | Two-person | Tanks 5,000-10,000L, freestanding wall ≤2.5m |
| 20mm | 80.2 kg | Mechanical lift | Tanks >10,000L, freestanding wall ≤3m |
| 25mm | 100.2 kg | Mechanical lift | Large vessels, structural platforms |
Custom thicknesses to 50mm. Note: Above 25mm, glass-fiber-reinforced PP (FRPP) or externally-reinforced construction is typically more cost-effective than further increasing unreinforced PP thickness. Contact Xicheng engineering for design consultation.
Manufacturing & Quality Control
Every Xicheng PP sheet is extruded at our Shenzhen facility from 100% virgin PP homopolymer resin. Thick-gauge production requires slower extrusion speeds to ensure uniform melt temperature through the cross-section, preventing internal stress that would cause warping during fabrication. Quality control is performed at three stages per ISO 9001:2015:
- Incoming resin inspection: MFI verification per ISO 1133. Resin lots outside specified MFI rejected before extrusion.
- In-process monitoring: Continuous thickness gauging. For thick sheet (≥15mm), cross-sectional temperature monitoring to verify uniform cooling and prevent internal stress formation.
- Final inspection: 5-point thickness measurement, diagonal check, visual inspection, batch mechanical testing (tensile, Izod impact). Weldability test on each batch — a test coupon is welded and pull-tested to verify parent-material weld strength.
In-house testing equipment: universal tensile testing machine (GB/T 1040), Izod impact tester (ISO 180), digital thickness gauge (0.01mm resolution). Material certificates available on request.
Why Thick-Gauge PP Sheet?
When a chemical storage tank exceeds 2,000L or a duct section spans more than 2m between supports, thin PP sheet transitions from a structural material to a lining material — it needs external reinforcement to function. Thick PP sheet (10-25mm) crosses the threshold where PP becomes a primary structural element: capable of resisting hydrostatic pressure in freestanding tank walls, supporting continuous loads on equipment platforms, and spanning multi-meter duct sections without intermediate bracing.
Engineering context: The hydrostatic pressure at the base of a 3m liquid column (SG=1.0) is approximately 30 kPa. A 15mm PP panel of 3m width experiences approximately 45 kN of total lateral force. PP’s flexural modulus of ~1,100 MPa means deflection, not ultimate strength, typically governs the design. The practical result: 15mm PP tank walls with proper butt-welded corner joints and a rigid base support can serve as the primary containment for tanks up to 10,000L without external steel. For tanks above 10,000L or with liquid heights exceeding 3m, 20-25mm is required, or external steel reinforcement may be more economical than further increasing PP thickness.
Important limitation: PP’s flexural modulus is approximately 1/200th that of structural steel. Thick PP compensates with cross-sectional depth, not material stiffness. Designs requiring minimal deflection under concentrated loads may need closer support spacing, external steel stiffening, or transition to FRP. PP’s coefficient of thermal expansion (~150×10-6/K) means a 3m panel expands approximately 4.5mm per 10°C temperature rise — this must be accommodated in fixed installations.
For thin-gauge applications, see our thin PP sheet 3-10mm. For the full thickness range including medium gauges, see the main PP polypropylene sheet page.
Key Advantages
- Self-Supporting Tank Walls: 12-15mm PP handles hydrostatic loads for tanks up to 3m wall height without external steel bracing. 20-25mm for freestanding tanks exceeding 10,000L. Eliminates the corrosion-prone steel frame for medium-scale tanks.
- Full Cross-Section Corrosion Immunity: Unlike coated metal where a scratch initiates corrosion, thick PP is chemically identical at every depth. A gouge, scratch, or surface cut does not create a corrosion initiation point — there is no coating to fail and no substrate to corrode.
- Weldable Structural Joints: Multi-pass extrusion welding with matching PP rod produces joints with parent-material strength. Thick sections accept tapped holes for mounting pumps, instrumentation, and pipework directly to the PP structure.
- Lower Lifecycle Cost vs Stainless Steel: For HCl, H2SO4, and chloride-containing chemical service within PP’s temperature limit, thick PP eliminates the corrosion failure mode entirely. No coating, no cathodic protection, no replacement cycle. A properly fabricated 15mm PP tank typically serves 10-15 years in continuous acid service.
Applications with Real-World Reference
- Chemical Storage Tanks: 12-15mm for 2,000-10,000L with reinforcement. 20-25mm for freestanding >10,000L. Welded construction with PP welding rod. See PP chemical storage tanks.
- Pickling & Electroplating Baths: Continuous immersion in HCl, H2SO4, mixed acids at temperatures to 90°C. PP’s electrical insulation (≥1014 Ω) eliminates stray current corrosion. See process example: Foxconn Vietnam factory case study.
- Structural Platforms & Walkways: 15-25mm for chemical plant operator platforms, trench covers, and equipment access walkways. Anti-slip surface option for personnel traffic.
- Large-Section Ductwork: Rectangular ducts ≥600mm side dimension requiring 10-12mm panels for structural integrity under negative pressure and across 2m+ spans.
PP Sheet vs Stainless Steel for Chemical Tanks
| Criterion | PP Sheet 15mm | 316L Stainless Steel 3mm |
|---|---|---|
| Material Cost (per m²) | Lower | 3-5× higher |
| Corrosion in HCl Service | Immune | Pitting corrosion within months |
| Corrosion in Chloride Service | Immune | Stress corrosion cracking risk |
| Weight | ~14 kg/m² (15mm) | ~24 kg/m² (3mm) |
| Fabrication | Hot-gas welding | TIG welding (skilled labor) |
| Service Life (acid service) | 10-15 years | 1-5 years (depending on chemistry) |
| Repairability | Weldable on-site | Weldable, requires passivation |
Ordering, Warranty & Delivery
- MOQ: 1 m². No upper limit.
- Lead Time: 15-25 working days standard. Custom thickness — confirmed at quotation.
- Payment: T/T (30% deposit, 70% before shipment). L/C accepted.
- Shipping: FOB Shenzhen. Sea/air/land. Wood pallet packaging with moisture barrier. Thick sheets (≥20mm) shipped flat on reinforced pallets to prevent warping.
- Warranty: 1 year against manufacturing defects. Lifetime technical support. 24-hour technical inquiry response.
Company: XICHENG EP (CN) LTD | Address: Room 2007, Building 1, Zhongliang Yunjing Plaza, Matian Street, Guangming District, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China | Certifications: ISO 9001:2015, CE, RoHS
Frequently Asked Questions
What thickness do I need for my chemical storage tank?
For rectangular tanks with external steel reinforcement: up to 2,000L use 10mm; 2,000-5,000L use 12mm; 5,000-10,000L use 15mm. For freestanding tanks without steel frame: >10,000L use 20-25mm. These are design guidelines — contact Xicheng with your tank dimensions, stored liquid specific gravity, and operating temperature for a specific thickness calculation. We provide this design support at no charge with quotation.
At what point does thick PP replace stainless steel?
When the process chemistry attacks stainless steel: HCl at any concentration, H2SO4 above 10% at elevated temperature, chloride-containing solutions (pitting and stress corrosion cracking risk). Within PP’s 90°C limit, PP eliminates corrosion as a failure mode entirely. The material cost of 15mm PP is a fraction of 316L stainless of equivalent structural capacity.
Can thick PP sheet be welded on-site for field-erected tanks?
Yes. Extrusion welding with PP welding rod produces full-strength butt joints between panels. On-site welding requires a qualified fabricator, hot-gas welding equipment, and dry conditions. For large field-erected tanks, panels are fabricated and pre-assembled at our facility for fit-check, then disassembled for shipping and re-welded on-site.
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