Tanker trucks play a critical role in our everyday lives, moving essential products over our highways and streets. The contents of those tankers need to be secured for identification and tamper detection to ensure they safely and swiftly reach their destination.

Most often, the security seals chosen for this job are plastic strap seals. Here are the reasons why plastic strap seals are the ideal choice for securing tanker trucks and tank wash.

1. Flexibility and fit

Plastic strap seals come in various styles and sizes and are flexible enough to fit the different closures on tankers. They can be fitted for valves, hatches, metering devices, and levers for fill and discharge. Since tank trucks and tanks are often custom, having a versatile seal is essential.

Adjustable pull-up plastic seals also come in different sizes, strengths, thicknesses, and lock type options. That way, the user can match the right seal for the job regardless of the variations in configurations throughout the tanker.

1. Readability

An important function of tamper evident sealing is for recording and documenting the installation and removal process. Clear and readable markings are essential for tracking and controlling information. Plastic strap seals are manufactured in bright colors and can be marked with digits, letters, or codes in a high-contrast format. That way, they are highly visible and easily readable by the user.

1. Variability in color coding

Variations in color help users quickly and easily identify seals. Plastic seals come in a variety of colors and can even be ordered in custom colors to indicate things like contents, owner, drivers, dates, batches, or anything other information that needs quick identification.

1. Numerous marking options

In addition to unique coloring, plastic seals can have unique marking combinations to prevent operating errors or use of unauthorized seals by criminals. Plastic seals can be marked with hot stamp foil, laser, or permanent print; markings can range from alphanumeric combinations to barcodes, QR codes, and logos.

Markings can also represent compliance with regulatory agencies, state and national groups, and government entities. They can represent the required markings for hazardous materials, flammable materials, chemicals, food, medical, or sanitary products -- among many others.

1. Cost

Since tankers and tanks have a lot of uses for seals, they need large numbers. For example, a single milk tanker may use upwards of a thousand or more seals per year. Another example is tank wash operations: seals must be used on tanks after each wash to ensure it is empty, cleaned, and cleared for use again.

The volume of seals needed can make it difficult to meet quality standards while staying within budget. Basic plastic seals provide good tamper evidence, have a variety of coloring and marking options, and a low cost as compared to other seal types.

1. Reliability

Many plastic seals have been recognized for consistent quality and reliability. American Casting & Manufacturing is proud to be part of this, making seals of all types since 1910. We are registered to meet the quality standards of ISO-9001:2015 for Manufacture of Military and Commercial Tamper Evident Security Seals.

If you have questions regarding your applications for seals, AC&M’s experienced experts are available to help with answers. We are knowledgeable in all industries and all types of uses. This includes tank trucks, tank wash, and tank storage operations.

Contact a seal specialist at: info@seals.com or call 1-866-360-6748 in the US or 516-349-7010 from outside the US.