Storage And Transport Of Plastic Drums

The standard temperature resistance range for High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) plastic drums is between -50°C and +70°C, though they can withstand temperatures of approximately 100°C for short periods. During storage, the drums should be kept under cover to avoid exposure to direct sunlight; the maximum recommended service temperature is 60°C, while the recommended storage temperature is below 40°C. When stacking, care must be taken to ensure the stack is level and that the drums in the upper and lower layers are properly aligned; staggered stacking is strictly prohibited. If the product being filled into the drums exceeds 40°C, it must be allowed to cool to ambient temperature before the caps are tightened and the drums are stacked.

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Prior to storage and transportation, plastic drums must undergo performance testing in accordance with relevant standards. Examples of such tests include the stacking test (based on GB/T 4857.3-2008), the airtightness test (based on GB/T 17344-1998), the hydraulic pressure test (based on GB 18191-2008), and the drop test (based on GB/T 4857.5-1992). These tests are designed to ensure the structural integrity of the containers during the transportation and stacking processes.

In accordance with the requirements of the standard *GB 18191-2008: Packaging Containers-Plastic Drums for Packaging of Dangerous Goods*, hazardous waste (such as laboratory waste liquids) must be contained in plastic drums of specified capacities. Furthermore, the fill volume must not exceed 75% of the drum's total capacity, and a leak-proof containment pallet must be placed beneath the drum. The use of ordinary plastic drums to contain flammable liquids-such as gasoline-is strictly prohibited, as this poses a risk of explosion due to the accumulation of static electricity. If such materials must be contained, specialized anti-static drums must be utilized, and strict adherence to operational protocols-such as controlling the filling rate and ensuring proper grounding-is mandatory. Examples of dangerous goods that may be transported in these plastic drums include acetic acid, hydrochloric acid, and sulfuric acid; conversely, examples of items that *cannot* be transported in these drums include fuming sulfuric acid, concentrated nitric acid, benzene, and gasoline.

The two standards GB/T 45451.1-2025 and GB/T 45451.2-2025, implemented in 2025, enhance product stacking stability and optimize space utilization in containers or trucks by standardizing technical specifications-such as dimensions, tolerances, and residual liquid volume (≤100 mL for closed-head drums)-for large plastic drums (113.6 L to 220 L), thereby improving the efficiency of transportation and warehousing.