Butt Weld Tees – Equal & Reducing
Brandfittings manufactures ASME B16.9 butt weld tees in equal and reducing configurations, in carbon steel (ASTM A234 WPB), stainless steel (ASTM A403 WP304/304L, WP316/316L), alloy steel and low-temperature grades. As a factory in Mengcun County, Hebei — China's Pipe Fittings Capital — we supply tees from 1/2″ to 48″ (DN15–DN1200) to projects in 10+ countries, with a mill test certificate (EN 10204 3.1) on every order.
Tees create a 90° branch from a main line, so weld quality, wall thickness and material grade directly affect branch integrity under pressure and thermal cycling. This page covers tee types, dimensions, material selection, quality control and lead times to help you specify with confidence.
Equal vs Reducing Tees
An equal tee has all three openings the same nominal size — used where the branch carries the same flow as the main line. A reducing tee has a smaller branch outlet, allowing a size transition at the branch point without adding an extra reducer fitting. We also supply barred tees (pigging tees) for pipeline cleaning operations on request.
- Equal tee — same size run and branch; maximum flow capacity at the branch.
- Reducing tee — smaller branch outlet; saves fittings and weld joints on size-change branches.
- Barred tee — with permanent bars to prevent pig/cleaning tool entry into the branch.
Specifications
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Type | Equal Tee, Reducing Tee, Barred Tee |
| Size Range | 1/2″ – 48″ (DN15 – DN1200); larger on request |
| Wall Thickness | SCH 5S – SCH XXS |
| المعايير | ASME B16.9, MSS-SP-75, GOST 17376, JIS B2312, GB/T 12459 |
| Ends | Beveled ends per ASME B16.25, ready for butt welding |
| Documentation | MTC EN 10204 3.1, heat numbers, third-party inspection reports (SGS/BV/TÜV) |
Available Materials
| Material Grade | Standard | Typical Application |
|---|---|---|
| A234 WPB | ASTM | General carbon steel piping |
| A403 WP304/304L | ASTM | Corrosion-resistant, food grade |
| A403 WP316/316L | ASTM | Marine, chemical, high corrosion |
| A420 WPL6 | ASTM | Low temperature service |
| A234 WP5 / WP9 / WP11 / WP22 / WP91 | ASTM | High temperature / alloy |
For sour gas, high-temperature steam or cryogenic duty, alloy grades (WP11/WP22/WP91) and low-temperature WPL6 are available — our engineers will confirm the right grade from your operating conditions. Need help choosing? See our carbon steel vs stainless steel buying guide.
Applications by Industry
- النفط والغاز — manifold headers, gathering lines and refinery branches. Explore oil & gas pipe fittings →
- Chemical Processing — corrosive media in stainless and alloy grades. Explore chemical industry fittings →
- توليد الطاقة — steam and boiler branch connections. Explore power generation fittings →
- Shipbuilding & Marine — Class-approved branch fittings. Explore marine fittings →
- معالجة المياه — distribution and header tees. Explore water treatment fittings →
Manufacturing & Quality Control
Tees are formed from certified pipe or plate by extrusion and hydroforming, then heat-treated as required — carbon steel tees are normalized, stainless tees solution-annealed to restore corrosion resistance. Every piece is dimensionally inspected to ASME B16.9 tolerances (run and branch diameters, wall thickness, center-to-end and out-of-roundness), and each batch carries heat numbers stamped on the fitting and mirrored on the MTC (EN 10204 3.1). Third-party inspection by SGS, BV or TÜV can be arranged before shipment.
Customization Options
- Custom branch sizes — any reducing combination, including large-diameter branches
- Barred tees — with pig bars for pipeline cleaning systems
- Custom wall thickness — heavier schedules for high-pressure duty
- Surface treatment — galvanizing, epoxy coating, pickling & passivation
Why Choose Brandfittings Tees?
- Equal & reducing in one order – Mix and match sizes
- Pressure-rated – Suitable for Class 150 – Class 2500 systems
- Full documentation – MTC, dimensional reports, material certs
- Global shipping – FOB, CIF, DDP available
- Certified quality – ISO 9001 / ISO 14001 / CCS / TS certified facility
Want to see current market price levels? Check our Cangzhou pipe fittings price reference, or read our comprehensive guide to pipe fittings for oil & gas.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between equal and reducing tees?
An equal tee has all three openings the same nominal size. A reducing tee has a smaller branch outlet, which lets you transition to a smaller branch line at the branch point without adding a separate reducer fitting.
What standards do your butt weld tees comply with?
All our tees are manufactured to ASME B16.9, with MSS-SP-75, GOST 17376, JIS B2312 and GB/T 12459 also available. Every order ships with a mill test certificate (MTC EN 10204 3.1).
What size range and wall thickness do you supply?
We supply tees from 1/2″ to 48″ (DN15–DN1200) in wall thicknesses from SCH 5S to SCH XXS. Larger sizes and special wall thicknesses can be manufactured on request.
Can you make custom reducing combinations?
Yes — any run/branch size combination can be manufactured, including large-diameter branches and barred tees for pigging systems. Send your specification to our engineering team.
What are your lead times?
Standard sizes in stock ship in 7–10 days. Production orders take 30–45 days, and custom items 45–60 days, depending on size, material and quantity.