Use this calculator to size a custom plastic tank for your process. Enter the tank shape, dimensions and the material you’re considering — the calculator returns total capacity, 90 % working volume, an indicative wall thickness sized to AS/NZS 4766, and an estimated empty weight. Material temperature limits and service derating are flagged automatically.
Tank Capacity Calculator
Estimate volume, working capacity and indicative wall thickness for HDPE, PP and PVDF tanks. Engineered to AS/NZS 4766.
Results
How the calculator works
Volume is computed from the entered geometry — vertical cylinder, horizontal cylinder or rectangular box. Working volume is set at 90 % to leave headspace for vapour expansion and vent margin per AS 1940 dangerous-goods practice. Indicative wall thickness is calculated using a simplified hoop-stress equation (t = P·D / 2σ) with a 2.0 safety factor, then rounded up to the nearest standard sheet thickness (8, 10, 12, 15, 20, 25, 30 mm) and floored at the minimum manufacturable wall (D/250 or 5 mm, whichever is greater).
Material allowable stress is taken from AS/NZS 4766 / DVS 2205-2 typical values: HDPE 5.0 MPa, PP-H 6.0 MPa, PVDF 7.0 MPa at 23 °C. Each material is linearly derated up to its service-temperature ceiling (HDPE 60 °C, PP 80 °C, PVDF 120 °C). Tank weight is estimated from total surface area × wall thickness × material density (HDPE 0.955, PP 0.910, PVDF 1.780 g/cm³).
The output is indicative. Final wall thickness, weld procedure (DVS 2207-1 / -11), fittings layout, vent sizing, lifting points and AS/NZS 4766 conformance documentation are issued by Industrial Plastics engineering on quote. For chemical service, also run the chemical compatibility checker for your medium.
What sizing data should you collect before requesting a quote?
- Service medium — chemical name, concentration, specific gravity, design temperature
- Required volume — both the working volume and the storage time between tanker fills
- Footprint constraints — bund dimensions, headroom, door access, lifting access
- Connection schedule — inlet, outlet, drain, overflow, vent, level instrument, manway
- Bunding — existing bund or new build, primary or secondary containment
- Conformance — AS/NZS 4766 design certificate, DVS 2207 weld documentation, hydrostatic test report
