How to Maximize the Service Life of Process Tanks
Electroplating or surface finishing processes are commonly used to provide increased wear and corrosion resistance to finished parts. Many finishers, however, are worried by the corrosion of their own equipment. Process tanks hold aggressive solutions that are frequently at elevated temperatures. It is imperative these tanks withstand aggressive conditions to maximize productivity and limit production downtime. Repair or replacement of failed tanks cuts productivity greatly and can be a costly financial burden.
Using Steel Tanks
Steel tanks are known for their high temperature ratings and mechanical strength, but many times, they cannot be used to contain plating solutions. Corrosive solutions attack steel, and lead to leaks and tank failure. The common alternatives to steel tanks are using plastics, both as liners and free-standing structures. Plastics protect the solution from contamination and the steel from corrosion.
What type of plastic should I use to protect my steel tanks?
Plastics such as flexible polyvinyl chloride (PVC-P) and polypropylene (PP) are common alternatives to steel tanks. Although these plastics display good enough chemical resistance in some applications, there are many instances where aggressive plating mixtures are challenging for PVC-P or PP. Many finishers are demanding a higher quality, longer lasting and more trouble-free tank. PP tanks have a high fire risk if there is an elevated temperature and electric immersion heathers. Polypropylene tanks are quickly combustible and difficult to extinguish. Spending more upfront on tanks can greatly reduce the total cost of ownership over the lifetime of a process tank.
PVDF Liners
PVDF liners offer an upgraded solution for finishers who desire long tank life, PVDF is used as a construction material and can outperform its competition by providing longer lasting and trouble-free containment for the most aggressive plating solutions, even at elevated temperatures. PVDF is selected for plating tanks because it has a robust chemical resistance, good flame and smoke properties, high purity, heat and temperature resistance. PVDF is increasingly in demand, but the fabrication can also be complicated. It is important to use qualified fabricators that have fabrication standards and procedures in place.
To see what plating lines we have available in stock, visit Electroplating equipment & treatment lines.
HydraPower Dynamics Pre-Treatment Plant
13 Stage, Fully Automatic, Straight Line, Pre-treatment Line with 200kg SWL Transporter and in-line drying oven. Upgraded Siemens 7 Control configured for Qualicoat quality standards.
- Stock No
- BMF500
- Category
- Electroplating & treatment lines
- Model
- HydraPower Dynamics Rack Type Immersion Treatments Line
- Year of Manufacture
- Ref. 2018
- Work Envelope (WxDxH mm) [?]
- 3000 x 750 x 1750
- Process Stages
- 11 Station + Load & unload
- Other Info
- All wetted stages - Stainless Steel
- Condition
- Seen working by RSW, Excellent Condition
- Location
- Ipswich, Suffolk, UK
- Direct Site Clearance Price [?]
- £ Login or Register for price.
- Buyer's Premium [?]
- 10% BP will be added to your invoice
- Part of a Direct Site Clearance
- Automated Immersion Pre-Treatment Plant
PMD (UK) Manual Composite Plating Line
Originally developed for research & development, this 7 stage, composite plating line delivers a refined and highly adaptable solution for specialist coating applications.
- Stock No
- EXC200
- Category
- Electroplating & treatment lines
- Model
- PMD (UK) REF: PC1092
- Year of Manufacture
- 2001
- Work Envelope (WxDxH mm) [?]
- 600mm x 500mm x 1000mm
- Process Stages
- 7 Stations
- Condition
- From a working environment, Excellent Condition
- Location
- Newry, Northern Ireland, UK
- Direct Site Clearance Price [?]
- £ Login or Register for price.
- Clearance ends
- 12 August 2026 00:00 GMT while stocks last
- Part of a Direct Site Clearance
- Modular Plating & Process Lines Clearance
PMD (UK) Manual Nickel & Alloy Plating Line
A 8 stage nickel & alloy plating line designed for precision performance, safety and flexibility, it is ideal for research, development and specialist production environments.
- Stock No
- EXC300
- Category
- Electroplating & treatment lines
- Model
- PMD (UK) REF: PC1092
- Year of Manufacture
- 2001
- Work Envelope (WxDxH mm) [?]
- 500mm x 600mm x 1000mm
- Process Stages
- 8 Tanks
- Condition
- From a working environment, Excellent Condition
- Location
- Newry, Northern Ireland, UK
- Direct Site Clearance Price [?]
- £ Login or Register for price.
- Clearance ends
- 12 August 2026 00:00 GMT while stocks last
- Part of a Direct Site Clearance
- Modular Plating & Process Lines Clearance
PMD (UK) Manual Acid Plating & Anodising Line
Designed and built within a specialist R&D facility, this 8 station manual acid plating and anodising line offers a flexible, high quality solution for precision surface treatment applications.
- Stock No
- EXC500
- Category
- Electroplating & treatment lines
- Model
- PMD (UK) REF : PC1092
- Year of Manufacture
- 2001
- Work Envelope (WxDxH mm) [?]
- 600mm x 500mm x 1000mm
- Process Stages
- 8 Tanks
- Condition
- From a working environment, Excellent Condition
- Location
- Newry, Northern Ireland, UK
- Direct Site Clearance Price [?]
- £ Login or Register for price.
- Part of a Direct Site Clearance
- Modular Plating & Process Lines Clearance
Jacquet Weston Engineering Packaged Demineralisation Water Treatment Plant
Manually operated, the de-mineralisation unit produces up to 200 l/h when connected to a 1,000 litre holding tank. At the estimated hourly production of 45 l/h demineralised water the unit will need regenerating every 75-80 hours.
- Stock No
- MA748
- Category
- Electroplating & treatment lines
- Model
- Jacquet Weston Engineering Ion Exchange Plant
- Work Envelope (WxDxH mm) [?]
- Brake / Storage Tank Ø900 x 1500
- Process Stages
- Single Stage
- Other Info
- Producing up to 200 litres/hour
- Condition
- From a working environment, Good Condition
- Sold As Seen Price [?]
- £ Login or Register for price.
PolyPlas Engineering Ltd Polypropylene Tank
A heavy duty polypropylene process tank with steel reinforcing supports manufactured by one of the UK's premier plant suppliers, PolyPlas Engineering Ltd. Inlet/outlet ports at one end of the tank high level and low level to accommodate any process needs.
- Stock No
- TC308J
- Category
- Process Tanks
- Model
- PolyPlas Engineering Ltd 2800 Litres
- Year of Manufacture
- 2019
- Work Envelope (WxDxH mm) [?]
- 3200 x 600 x 1495
- Process Stages
- Single Stage Process Tank
- Other Info
- Max Capacity 2800 Litres
- Condition
- From a working environment, Excellent Condition
- Sold As Seen Price [?]
- £ Login or Register for price.
PolyPlas Engineering Ltd Polypropylene Tank
A heavy duty polypropylene process tank with steel reinforcing supports manufactured by one of the UK's premier plant suppliers, PolyPlas Engineering Ltd. Inlet/outlet ports at one end of the tank high level and low level to accommodate any process needs.
- Stock No
- TC310J
- Category
- Process Tanks
- Model
- PolyPlas Engineering Ltd 2800 Litres
- Year of Manufacture
- 2019
- Work Envelope (WxDxH mm) [?]
- 3210 x 600 x 1495
- Process Stages
- Single Stage Process Tank
- Other Info
- Max Capacity 2800 Litres
- Condition
- From a working environment, Excellent Condition
- Sold As Seen Price [?]
- £ Login or Register for price.
Balco Engineering Ltd Manual Electropolish Line
An ideal opportunity to acquire a manual electropolishing line installed by Balco Engineering in 2013 and subject to an upgrade by them in 2016. The line previously utilised in the production of medical implants.
- Stock No
- TE367
- Category
- Electroplating & treatment lines
- Model
- Balco Engineering Ltd Manual Electropolish
- Year of Manufacture
- 2013
- Work Envelope (WxDxH mm) [?]
- 200/320/360/390 x 500 x 500
- Process Stages
- 6
- Other Info
- Wall mounted control cabinet containing
- Condition
- From a working environment, Seen working by RSW, Good Condition
- Sold As Seen Price [?]
- £ Login or Register for price.
Balco Engineering Ltd Automatic Electropolish Line
An ideal opportunity to acquire an automatic electropolishing line, installed by Balco Engineering Limited in 2016 utilised in the production of medical implants. The plant is fully operational and can currently be viewed working by prospective buyers.
- Stock No
- TE368
- Category
- Electroplating & treatment lines
- Model
- Balco Engineering Ltd Automatic Electropolish
- Year of Manufacture
- 2016
- Work Envelope (WxDxH mm) [?]
- 260/360 x 500 x 650
- Process Stages
- 6
- Other Info
- Full Line Is Now At Riley Surface World.
- Condition
- From a working environment, Seen working by RSW, Good Condition
- Sold As Seen Price [?]
- £ Login or Register for price.
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