GB18296-2019
Safety property requirements and test methods for automobile fuel tank and its installation
汽车燃油箱及其安装的安全性能要求和试验方法
GB 18296-2019 is a current mandatory Chinese national standard for Safety property requirements and test methods for automobile fuel tank and its installation. It appears in the Electronics compliance cluster with a product safety focus and has an implementation date of Jul 1, 2020.
Applicability depends on product scope, certification route, competent authority notices and transition rules. Requst for the translation or verify source before using this record in a compliance decision.
Compliance overview
Scope and applicability
This standard specifies the safety property requirements and test methods for automobile fuel tanks utilizing liquid fuel. It applies to M, N, and O category vehicles equipped with either metal or plastic fuel tanks. Manufacturers must ensure that both the fuel tank assemblies and their specific installation configurations on vehicles comply with these mandatory safety criteria.
Technical requirements
The standard mandates that fuel tanks must be corrosion-resistant and constructed from fire-resistant metal or compliant plastic materials. Tanks must be equipped with an automatic pressure compensating device (e.g., ventilation or safety valves) and secure fuel tank caps to prevent excessive evaporation and spillage. For metal fuel tanks, structural integrity under pressure and vibration endurance are critical compliance factors. For plastic fuel tanks, the standard outlines stringent performance criteria including low-temperature impact resistance, pressure resistance, and high-temperature durability. Plastic tanks must also meet strict fuel permeability limits and pass a comprehensive fire resistance test. The requirements ensure no fuel leakage or severe deformation occurs under extreme operational and environmental conditions. Regarding installation safety, the standard dictates that fuel tanks must be securely fixed and properly protected by the vehicle body or frame to prevent ground contact. Fuel tanks must not be located inside the passenger compartment, and fuel filler points must not be situated in passenger, luggage, or engine compartments. Furthermore, necessary electrostatic discharge measures must be implemented for tanks using fuels with a flash point below 55°C.
Testing methods
The standard defines several critical evaluation procedures, including a pressure resistance test for both metal and plastic tanks to verify structural integrity without cracking or leaking. A turnover test evaluates fuel leakage rates when the vehicle is rotated 90 degrees and fully inverted. For plastic tanks, a low-temperature impact test using a pendulum apparatus assesses vulnerability at -40°C. Additionally, a fuel permeability test measures evaporation loss over an 8-week period, and a rigorous fire resistance test exposes the tank to direct and indirect flames to ensure no leakage occurs. Finally, a vibration endurance test is specified for metal fuel tanks to simulate operational stresses.
FAQs
What products are regulated under GB 18296-2019?
The standard applies to M, N, and O category vehicles, covering both metal fuel tanks and plastic fuel tanks designed for liquid fuels.
Are there any updates from the previous version of GB 18296-2019?
The 2019 version expands the scope to O category vehicles and liquid fuels. It adds requirements for turnover tests, fuel permeability, fuel resistance, and installation safety, while removing previous requirements for plastic tank vibration and safety valve opening pressure.
How does GB 18296-2019 differ from international standards?
The technical content of GB 18296-2019 references the ECE R34 regulation regarding vehicle fire protection certification, aligning its safety performance requirements with international standards.
The summary above provides a high-level overview of GB 18296-2019. To ensure complete compliance for your products entering the Chinese market, a precise and professional translation of the full technical specifications is essential. Purchase our high-quality English translation of GB 18296-2019 today to access all detailed parameters, tables, and testing procedures.
Applicability hints
- Type
- Product
- CCS
- T16
- ICS
- 43.060.40
- Competent department
- Ministry of Industry and Information Technology
- Technical committee
- Ministry of Industry and Information Technology
Relationships
Replaces:GB 18296-2001