Abtrex Industries, Inc

06/03/2026

Did you know a microscopic pinhole, smaller than a grain of sand, can shut down a multi-million dollar facility?

Corrosion doesn't need a massive tear to destroy a tank. It just needs one microscopic pathway to the steel substrate. Once the fluid finds that pinhole, it will spread underneath the lining, attack the substrate, and pop the lining off from the inside out.

That’s why visual inspections are never enough. Every square inch of our rubber linings is rigorously spark tested, passing a high-voltage wand over the surface that will arc if it detects even the tiniest breach. If it doesn't pass the spark test, it doesn't leave the shop.

How stringent are the testing protocols for your current lined vessels? Reach out to discuss proactive inspection strategies with the Abtrex team.

05/26/2026

Does FEA, ASME, and PWHT sound less like alphabet soup and more like a good time?
Do you read fabrication drawings for fun?
Have you ever said „that nozzle needs a repad” out loud in public?

If you answered with a resounding „yes!” then we might be your people.

Abtrex Industries is growing our engineering team in South Bend, IN. We are looking for Mechanical Engineer to design pressure vessels, tanks, piping systems, and heavy industrial fabrication projects that are built on the same campus where you will work.

If SolidWorks, fabrication, FEA, and real-world problem solving are your thing, apply or share with someone who’d be a great fit: https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/view/4415288583/

05/25/2026

This Memorial Day, Abtrex Industries honors and remembers the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country.

We are grateful for their courage, dedication, and legacy of freedom. Today, we pause to reflect and remember.

05/19/2026

Asset failure in aggressive chemical environments is rarely a matter of if, but when.

But before you sign off on a massive capital expense to replace a degrading steel tank or chemically-saturated FRP equipment, consider relining it.

At Abtrex, we construct FRP linings in place, hand-laying a custom corrosion barrier directly onto the existing substrate. The result is a highly durable system engineered for your specific environment.

The goal is simple: extend the service life of your equipment and minimize facility downtime.

Check out how we build these systems from the substrate up to protect steel, concrete, FRP and OTR trailers: https://abtrex.com/frp-linings-for-corrosion-protection/

05/14/2026

Did you know that the adhesive system holding a heavy industrial rubber lining to a bare steel tank isn't actually "glue"? In severe chemical and high-abrasion environments, relying on a simple mechanical bond would be a recipe for catastrophic failure. The thermal expansion of the steel alone would shear it right off the wall.

What we actually use is a "chemical bridge." It requires a precise multi-layer system: a primer that bites into the blasted steel profile, an intermediate tie-coat, and a tack coat. During vulcanization, heat triggers these layers to actively cross-link with the rubber. The result? The rubber and adhesive chemically cross-link, permanently locking into the steel substrate.

But this chemistry is unforgiving. If a technician applies a coat a few mils too thick or misses the strict dry-time window, that chemical bridge won't form, guaranteeing premature failure down the line.

Ensure your next critical tank reline utilizes the exact bonding chemistry your process requires. Reach out to the team at Abtrex to discuss how we engineer absolute adhesion.

05/07/2026

You can specify the best protective lining in the world, but hidden soluble salts on your steel substrate mean you’re just paying for a future failure.

A tank can look spotless after abrasive blasting and still be at risk. Trapped chlorides draw moisture through the lining, leading to blistering, under‑film corrosion, and costly, unplanned shutdowns.

At Abtrex, "visually clean" isn't our baseline. Our QC team mandates chloride testing during the surface preparation phase of our fabrication. We chemically verify that the steel is completely decontaminated before a single sheet of rubber, fiberglass, or protective coating is applied.

For the customers relying on these assets, catching invisible salts on the shop floor is the difference between a tank that lasts five years and one that lasts twenty.

Read our technical breakdown on how this process works and why it’s a part of our QC: https://loom.ly/FI0bh-o

04/30/2026

Our South Bend facility just fabricated, rubber lined, and painted a 60" O.D. × 153" cation exchange vessel. Protected internally with 3/16" thick, black, semi-hard natural rubber and finished externally for long-term service.

What made this one interesting was its 12" × 16" elliptical manway, a less common design that required a custom welded collar rather than the traditional round, flanged opening. The geometry alone requires a different approach at every stage: layout, fit-up, weld sequencing, and lining application around a non-circular pe*******on.

If you're speccing a vessel with non-standard geometry, unusual lining requirements, or anything that makes other shops hesitate, we're worth a conversation.

04/22/2026

From synchronized rotation and gantry-guided weld heads to continuous passes that minimize stops and potential defects, automated submerged arc welding plays a big role in how large tanks are built to perform over time.

We broke down how this system works and why it matters in heavy plate fabrication in our latest write-up. Take a closer look: https://abtrex.com/automated-saw-for-heavy-plate-tank-fabrication

Discover how automated submerged arc welding (SAW) machine improves weld quality, consistency, and efficiency for tank fabrication projects.

04/14/2026

Keeping tank cars in service and compliant takes more than scheduling inspections. It takes a partner who can handle the full scope of lining work without slowing everything else down.

At our Texas facilities, we manage the entire lifecycle of railcar rubber linings. From routine inspections to full removals and new installations, our crews are set up to handle the work start to finish. With AAR M-1002 and M-1003 certifications, the process follows strict industry standards, but more importantly, it’s done by people who understand what’s at stake when a car is out of service.

Need minor repairs between your mandatory 5- or 10-year qualification dates? We have that covered, too. At the end of the day, it’s about keeping railcars moving, protecting the product inside, and solving problems before they turn into downtime.

If you’re planning upcoming railcar lining work, it’s worth connecting early.

04/02/2026

Our South Bend shop just wrapped up a 120" O.D. x 72" straight‑side cation pressure vessel, built from 5/8” ASME SA516‑70 carbon steel and lined with black, semi‑hard natural rubber. The exterior was finished with a chemical‑resistant epoxy mastic and polyurethane topcoat, selected for tough service environments where failure isn’t an option.

Every rubber‑lined surface was 100% spark‑tested before and after cure per ASTM D5162, with hardness testing per ASTM D2240 to confirm the lining met spec. This is the kind of work we’re proud to showcase: heavy fabrication paired with purpose‑designed lining systems and quality control embedded from start to finish.

If you’re responsible for equipment that has to survive aggressive chemistry and long service cycles, we’re always open to comparing notes.