Gpi Tanks XL constructs its storage tanks from stainless steel, a material that may also be referred to as ‘inox’ from the French word inoxydable, which translates simply as ‘stainless’. It is important to note that stainless steel is not, as is often assumed, rust-free by definition, but it is certainly highly resistant to corrosion, and is therefore rustproof. For this reason, we always produce our tanks from this material.
Stainless steel is a highly alloyed type of steel, a mixture of several materials combined to achieve certain properties. The most common type of stainless steel is that with an austenitic structure, including the common types 304(L) and 316(L). Stainless steel types are created from an alloy (mixture of metals) of defined quantities of iron, chrome, nickel and carbon. Other metals may be added if certain properties are needed.
Adding nickel and chrome makes the material easier to work, stronger at high temperatures and more resistant to corrosion. If the chrome comes into contact with oxygen, an invisible oxide layer will form to protect the underlying metal from rust formation, generating high resistance to corrosion.
Steel, i.e. low alloyed steel, comprises iron and a small quantity of carbon. Plain steel lacks other metals such as chrome, which means that it does not have the same resistance to corrosion as stainless steel. Steel is degraded more quickly, and rust forms more quickly as a result. The rust then spreads more easily throughout the material. The resistance to corrosion of stainless steel is one of the most important reasons for choosing it over plain steel for tank construction, but there are other reasons. The key advantages:
Stainless steel can rust if damaged or impaired by chemical substances. It is, therefore, important to handle the material correctly and to choose the correct type of stainless steel for the ultimate use. It is also important to select the right finish. Our Gpi experts can offer the right advice.
Duplex is a variety of stainless steel that is increasingly being used for tank construction. It is a thinner material than the more common types, 304 and 316, but much stronger and resistant to corrosion. Duplex comes in a range of types with a range of different properties.
It is particularly suited to the (petro)chemicals industries on account of its exceptional resistance to corrosion, plus its strength makes it ideal for large tanks with high strength requirements. Thin duplex is as strong if not stronger than many of the commonly used types of stainless steel, which means that less material is needed and construction is more cost-efficient.
Duplex can often be more difficult to work and welding is more complex – at temperatures in excess of 250°C, the structure begins to change, which in turn impairs corrosion resistance and introduces brittleness. To prevent this from happening, it is important to work with the material in the correct manner.
All in all though, when used on large tanks, duplex often involves lower overall costs thanks to the thinner wall thickness, improved construction times and lower maintenance costs.
Working the material during production can impair the oxide layer, which is the layer responsible for the corrosion resistance – for example, cutting and welding can cause damage. As such, stainless steel always requires a finish, involving treatment in acid followed by cleaning (pickling). The oxide layer can then form naturally again (passivating) over 24 hours.
If you’d like to know more about stainless steel or need advice from one of our experts, please get in touch. For a quote, please follow the unique and simple step-by-step process that we have set up to help you.
© Gpi 2020
Collection and use of personal data from customers, suppliers, other contractors and job applicants
We will collect and use the personal data that you directly provide us with because this is necessary to conclude and carry out any agreement with you. This applies both to our (potential) customers and to parties from whom we purchase goods and/or services. If you are a (potential) customer of ours, we use your data for sending you quotations, for determining which specifications or requirements a specific item or service must meet, for delivering goods or carrying out work for you, for invoicing you and for ease of communication regarding matters connected with the implementation of the agreement.
If you are a (potential) supplier or other contractor, your personal data is also necessary for concluding and carrying out the agreement. For purchasing, this is necessary for advising you which specifications or requirements we consider a specific item or service should meet, for sending you a quotation request or for placing an order with you, for paying your invoices and for ease of communication regarding other matters connected with the agreement. You are not obliged to provide us with your personal data. If you provide us with no or insufficient personal data, then it is possible, however, that we will not be able to perform the aforementioned activities.
If you are a temporary agency worker, we will use the data that we receive from the employment agency to assess your suitability for a current or possible future vacant position and for the performance of the employment agency agreement. We may pass your personal data/company data to other parties. These other parties could be government bodies in order to comply with the law, parties who carry out work on our behalf, or parties to whom we are obliged to provide data in connection with the agreement. This relates to the following parties:
the Tax and Customs Administration
the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment
clients in the context of the Sequential Liability Act
Transfer to third parties
In connection with the performance of any agreement with you, it is possible that we will have to provide your personal data to parties that supply us with parts, materials and products or perform work on our behalf. For certain services we also use external server space for the storage of (parts of) our sales and purchasing administration in which your personal data is held. For this reason, your personal data is supplied to our server space provider. We also use Microsoft Office and the associated storage facilities for emails and other files. Your personal data is never sold on or forwarded to third parties, or used for other commercial purposes.
Direct marketing
If you regularly place orders with us or request quotations, we will store and use the personal data you have provided to inform you personally in the future by email about our existing and new products and services, and possibly to notify you about special offers. We have a legitimate interest in using your personal data for this purpose, namely to market our products and services. Every time we send you an advertising mail, you have the option to advise us that you are no longer interested in them. See the unsubscribe link at the bottom of each mailing. If you are a new contact or a once-only customer, we will only send you advertising messages if you have given us your prior consent for this.
1.4 Job Applicants
Data and documents provided by job applicants, for example via the website, will be processed in order to decide whether the applicant is eligible for a position within GPI Group. In order to properly match the selection of job applicants to the right vacancies, GPI group’s recruitment and selection process consists of comparing the applicant’s data with any vacancies and the qualifications required, possible contact with applicants for further acquaintance, and, in so far as applicable, contacting the referees/educational institutions provided.
In addition, the data can be processed to provide information to the applicant concerned about other vacancies or positions for which the applicant might be eligible. Furthermore, the data may be used to send general information to the job applicant, for example about the GPI Group’s organisation.
Initially, the applicant’s personal data will be collected through personal and/or telephone contact with the applicant, referees and/or educational institutes, or further information provided in writing. Data from public sources may also be consulted.
GPI Group only processes personal data that could be relevant to the recruitment and selection procedure. In any event, this will include data such as that which has been provided by the job applicant like curriculum vitae (CV), name and address details, other contact information, gender, applicant’s date of birth and possibly a photograph. Additionally, the applicant’s education, courses taken, internships and employment history can also be relevant. If required for the job function, applicants can be asked to undergo a psychological test or other form of assessment. In this case, those involved in carrying it out will be provided with the personal data necessary for the purposes of the test or assessment.