Pipe Caps & Vessel Heads
Brandfittings manufactures ASME B16.9 pipe caps and vessel heads (dished ends) in carbon steel (ASTM A234 WPB), stainless steel (ASTM A403 WP304/304L, WP316/316L), alloy and low-temperature grades. Pipe caps seal the end of piping lines; vessel heads close pressure vessels and tanks in hemispherical, elliptical, torispherical and flat shapes. Every item ships with full material certification (MTC EN 10204 3.1).
As a factory in Mengcun County, Hebei — China's Pipe Fittings Capital — we produce caps from 1/2″ to 48″ (DN15–DN1200) by cold forming and hot pressing, with larger vessel head sizes manufactured to your drawing.
Pipe Caps vs Vessel Heads
- Pipe cap — a butt weld fitting that closes the end of a pipe run; standard shapes follow ASME B16.9, in every schedule from SCH 5S to SCH XXS.
- Vessel head (dished end) — closes the end of a pressure vessel or tank; manufactured to your drawing in hemispherical, elliptical (2:1), torispherical or flat forms, suitable for ASME Section VIII pressure vessel construction.
Specifications
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Type | Pipe Cap (Butt Weld), Vessel Head (Dished End) |
| Size Range | 1/2″ – 48″ (DN15 – DN1200); vessel heads larger on request |
| Wall Thickness | SCH 5S – SCH XXS |
| Shapes | Hemispherical, Elliptical (2:1), Torispherical, Flat |
| Standards | ASME B16.9, GOST 17379, JIS B2312, EN 10253; vessel heads per ASME Sec. VIII |
| 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 pressure vessel heads we can also supply plate materials such as SA-516 Gr.70, SA-387 alloy plates and stainless plates to your specification, with full heat treatment and NDE reports. See our material buying guide for help choosing between carbon and stainless.
Applications by Industry
- Oil & Gas — line closure, pig launcher/receiver ends and vessel closures. Explore oil & gas pipe fittings →
- Chemical Processing — reactor and storage tank heads. Explore chemical industry fittings →
- Power Generation — boiler and pressure part closures. Explore power generation fittings →
- Shipbuilding & Marine — Class-approved tank and piping closures. Explore marine fittings →
- Water Treatment — filter vessel and tank heads. Explore water treatment fittings →
Manufacturing & Quality Control
Pipe caps are cold-formed for thin-wall sizes and hot-pressed for heavy schedules, then heat-treated as required — normalized for carbon steel, solution-annealed for stainless. Vessel heads are formed by hot pressing or spinning, with heat treatment and NDE (UT/RT/MT) per the code of construction. Every piece is dimensionally verified (OD, wall thickness, inside depth, out-of-roundness), with heat numbers stamped and mirrored on the MTC. Third-party inspection by SGS, BV or TÜV can be arranged before shipment.
Customization Options
- Custom shapes — hemispherical, elliptical (2:1), torispherical, flat, or per drawing
- Pressure vessel heads — manufactured to ASME Section VIII with full documentation
- Special materials — SA-516, SA-387, duplex and nickel alloys on request
- Surface treatment — galvanizing, epoxy coating, pickling & passivation
Why Choose Brandfittings Caps?
- Pipe caps & vessel heads – Full range coverage
- Cold-formed & hot-pressed – Per size and thickness
- Custom shapes available – Hemispherical, elliptical, flat
- Pressure vessel grade – Suitable for ASME Sec. VIII
- Certified quality – ISO 9001 / ISO 14001 / CCS / TS certified facility
Check current price levels in our Cangzhou pipe fittings price reference, or read our comprehensive pipe fittings guide for specification advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a pipe cap and a vessel head?
A pipe cap is a butt weld fitting that closes the end of a piping line, manufactured to ASME B16.9. A vessel head (dished end) closes a pressure vessel or tank and is manufactured to your drawing in hemispherical, elliptical, torispherical or flat shapes, per ASME Section VIII.
What shapes of vessel heads do you supply?
We supply hemispherical, elliptical (2:1), torispherical and flat heads, in carbon steel, stainless steel and alloy plate, with heat treatment and NDE per the code of construction.
What standards do your pipe caps comply with?
ASME B16.9, GOST 17379, JIS B2312 and EN 10253. Every order ships with an MTC per EN 10204 3.1.
What size range do you supply?
Pipe caps from 1/2″ to 48″ (DN15–DN1200) in SCH 5S to SCH XXS. Vessel heads can be manufactured in larger diameters to your specification.
What are your lead times?
Standard sizes in stock ship in 7–10 days. Production orders take 30–45 days, and custom vessel heads 45–60 days depending on size, material and quantity.