When manufacturing liquid transport vehicles, choosing the right metal is critical for safety and profit. 5182 aluminum plate is a high-magnesium aluminum alloy (part of the 5000 series) that is specifically designed for structural applications requiring excellent corrosion resistance, medium-to-high strength, and outstanding weldability.
Compared with traditional carbon steel tanks, a tanker built from 5182 aluminum plate significantly reduces the empty weight of the vehicle. This weight reduction allows transport companies to load more fuel or chemical liquids legally per trip, directly increasing their freight revenue while maintaining road safety and structural integrity.
As a professional 5182 aluminum plate supplier, GNEE provides factory-direct materials that meet international road transport standards.
Why Use 5182 Aluminum for Fuel Tanker Trucks?
- Significant Weight Reduction: Using aluminum reduces the tanker's body weight by 30% to 40% compared to a steel tank. A lighter truck means less tire wear, lower fuel consumption when empty, and a higher legal payload capacity when full.
- Excellent Corrosion Resistance: Fuel, diesel, and industrial chemicals can easily rust steel. 5182 aluminum naturally forms an oxide layer that protects the tank from rusting. It requires no internal anti-corrosion coating, saving manufacturing costs and preventing liquid contamination.
- Superior Weldability: Tankers are assembled by welding large metal plates together. 5182 aluminum has excellent welding performance. The welded joints remain strong and do not easily crack, which is vital for holding thousands of gallons of liquid safely.
- High Fatigue Resistance: Tanker trucks travel long distances on highways and rough roads. The continuous vibration can cause weak metals to crack. 5182 aluminum offers high fatigue strength, ensuring a long service life for the tank body.
- High Scrap Value: Even after 15 or 20 years of service, aluminum tanks have a very high recycling value compared to steel, making it a cost-effective material over its entire life cycle.
Chemical composition of 5182 aluminum sheet plate for oil tanker
| Element | Composition % |
| Si | 0.20 |
| Fe | 0.35 |
| Cu | 0.50 |
| Mn | 0.0-0.5 |
| Mg | 4.0-5.0 |
| Cr | 0.10 |
| Ni | - |
| Zn | 0.25 |
| Ti | 0.10 |
| Al | Remainder |
Mechanical properties of 5182 aluminum sheet plate for oil tanker
| Temper | Thickness/mm | Tensile Strength /MPa | Specified non-proportional Tensile Strength/MPa | Elongation After Break/% | A50 mm | Bending Radius |
| H111 | 3.00-6.00 | ≥280 | ≥125 | ≥24 | ≥6600 | 1.0t |
| >6.00-12.00 | ≥280 | ≥125 | ≥24 | ≥6600 | 2.0t | |
| O | 3.00-6.00 | ≥280 | ≥125 | ≥26 | ≥7280 | 1.0t |
| >6.00-12.00 | ≥280 | ≥125 | ≥26 | ≥7280 | 2.0t |
Thickness & Tolerance for 5182 aluminum Tanker Plates
| Thickness | Typical Tolerance |
| 4 – 6 mm | ±0.05 mm |
| 6 – 10 mm | ±0.08 mm |
Other key requirements:
- Good flatness for welding
- No internal defects (cracks, inclusions)
- Stable mechanical performance
Custom tolerances available for high-standard tank manufacturers.
Send us your required thickness, width, and quantity today. The GNEE team will reply within 24 hours with a detailed factory-direct quotation.
5182 aluminum sheet for fuel tanker Industry Standards
Fuel transportation is a dangerous goods industry, so the raw materials must pass strict legal standards. GNEE produces 5182 aluminum plates strictly following major international standards:
- ASTM B209: The American standard for aluminum and aluminum-alloy sheet and plate.
- EN 485: The European standard specifying technical conditions for inspection and delivery.
- GB/T 3880: The Chinese national standard for industrial aluminum plates.
For clients exporting their finished tanker trucks to Europe, we ensure the material properties comply with ADR (European Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road) requirements. If you are building pressure-related chemical tanks, we can supply materials meeting ASME basic requirements.
Specification of 5182 Aluminum Sheet Plate
|
Alloy |
5182 aluminum sheet plate |
|
Temper |
O, H12, H14, H16, H18, H19, H22, H24, H26, H28, H32, H34, H36, H38, H111, H112, H114, H116, H321, etc. |
|
Thickness (mm) |
0.15-600 |
|
Width (mm) |
100-2650 |
|
Length (mm) |
500-16000 |
|
Surface treatment |
Rolled, patterned aluminum plate |
| Surface Options | Mill Finish,Anodized,Color Coated etc,. |
|
Package |
Export packaging (protective film, interleaved paper) |
|
Certificate |
CCS, ABS, BV, LR, ISO |
|
Application |
Ship hulls, deck plating, refrigeration equipment, tank trucks, and automotive structural parts |
Applications of 5182 Aluminum Sheet for fuel tanker
You will find 5182 aluminum plates used extensively in the commercial vehicle industry. Common real-life applications include:
- Fuel Tanker Truck Bodies: The long cylindrical trailers you see on highways delivering gasoline and diesel to gas stations.
- Chemical Liquid Containers: ISO tank containers used to transport non-highly-corrosive industrial liquids safely.
- Heavy Truck Fuel Tanks: The rectangular diesel boxes mounted on the side of standard semi-trucks.
- Baffles and End Plates: The internal structural walls inside a large tank that stop the liquid from moving too fast when the truck brakes.
|
Alloy-Temper |
thickness |
application |
Material share |
Surface quality - deviation |
|
5182-H111 |
6mm-8mm |
Tanker body |
60% of a tank |
Top - strict size |
|
5182-O |
7mm/7.2mm |
Bulkhead |
15% of a tank |
Top - strict thickness |
|
5182-O |
5-6mm |
Wash board |
25% of a tank |
As required |
5182 vs 5083 Aluminum for Tankers
Many buyers ask whether they should buy 5182 or 5083 aluminum plates for their tanks. Both are marine-grade, high-magnesium alloys, but they have different focuses.
| Feature |
|
|
| Magnesium Content | 4.0% – 5.0% | 4.0% – 4.9% |
| Tensile Strength | 305 – 380 MPa | 305 – 385 MPa |
| Yield Strength |
|
≥215 – 275 MPa |
| Elongation | ≥10 – 12%
|
≥10% |
| Main Application | Fuel tanker trucks (diesel/petrol),Road transport tank bodies | Marine ship hulls, high-pressure tanks |
Conclusion: If you are building a marine vessel or a high-pressure gas tank, 5083 is the standard choice. However, if you are building a standard diesel or petrol transport tanker for highway use, 5182 is much more cost-effective. It provides excellent bending formability for the tank shape and saves money on raw materials without sacrificing road safety.
Quality Inspection Process
Safety cannot be guessed; it must be tested. To ensure our aluminum plate for fuel tankers is 100% reliable, GNEE applies a complete quality control system before shipping any material.
- Chemical Composition Analysis: We test the raw aluminum ingots with a spectrometer before and after melting to ensure the Magnesium and Manganese levels are exactly right.
- Online Thickness Monitoring: During the rolling process, laser sensors continuously measure the plate thickness to ensure it stays within the ±0.05 mm tolerance.
- Ultrasonic Testing (UT): For thick plates (especially those over 6mm), we use ultrasonic waves to scan the inside of the metal. This ensures there are no hidden cracks or hollow spots that could cause a tank to leak.
- Mechanical Testing: We cut samples from every batch and use a tensile machine to pull them apart, verifying the tensile strength, yield strength, and elongation match the H111 or H32 standards.
With every order delivered, we provide a complete Mill Test Certificate (MTC) proving all test results.
Price Guide
The pricing formula is:
SMM Aluminum Ingot Price + Factory Processing Fee = Final Price
- SMM Price: SMM stands for Shanghai Metals Market. This is the daily base price for raw aluminum.
- Processing Fee: This covers the factory's cost to melt, roll, test, cut, and pack the aluminum. For 5182 tanker plates, the processing fee is usually between USD 700 and USD 1,300 per ton, depending on how wide and how thin the plate is.
Example Calculation:
If today's SMM Aluminum Price is USD 2,400 per ton, and the processing fee for a 5mm x 2000mm plate is USD 900 per ton.
The estimated EXW price will be: USD 3,300 per ton.
Note: Ultra-wide plates (over 2200mm) require larger machines and have a slightly higher processing fee. Because SMM prices change daily, our formal quotations are usually valid for 3 to 5 days.
Email your target thickness, width, and total weight to us today. We will provide a transparent price breakdown to help you budget your project.
Packaging and Shipping
Shipping large aluminum plates internationally requires professional handling. GNEE follows strict export packaging standards to ensure the material arrives at your factory in perfect condition.
- We place the plates on strong, fumigated wooden pallets.
- We wrap the aluminum in waterproof craft paper and heavy-duty plastic film to prevent moisture and seawater corrosion.
- Desiccant bags are placed inside the package to keep it completely dry.
- Steel straps secure the plates tightly to the pallet so they do not move inside the shipping container.
Why Choose GNEE as Your Supplier?
- 18+ Years Experience: We have deep technical knowledge of the aluminum supply chain and export procedures.
- Stable Tanker Supply: We currently supply aluminum to dozens of commercial vehicle factories globally.
- Quality Assurance: ISO-certified factory with strict spectrometer and UT inspection systems.
- Customization: We can cut the length exactly to your drawing, minimizing your factory scrap waste.
