I. Overview of Butt Weld Caps
Butt weld caps are one type of butt weld pipe fitting. Because they are primarily used for sealing the ends of pipes, their application frequency is generally lower than that of butt weld elbows, tees, reducers, and other butt weld fittings.
Butt weld caps also connect to the end of a pipe through welding, serving as a pipe seal to prevent media flow or protect the pipe end face. Butt weld caps are typically designed to be circular, with one end being a closed hemispherical, elliptical, or flat-bottomed shape, and the other end being a beveled end for easy butt welding to the pipe.
Butt weld caps are used in pressure piping systems in the petroleum, chemical, natural gas, power, shipbuilding, and pharmaceutical industries. Their main functions include:
Sealing pipes: Used at the ends of pipes to prevent media leakage or the entry of foreign objects.
System testing: Used as a temporary or long-term seal during pipeline pressure testing or system maintenance.
Protective function: Protects pipe ends from corrosion or mechanical damage.
Equipment encapsulation: Used for sealing openings in equipment such as storage tanks and reactors.
II. Relevant Standards for Butt-Welded Pipe Fittings
The production and inspection of butt-welded pipe fittings follow multiple international and industry standards, hence they are also known as standard pipe fittings. The most widely used domestic and international standards include:
ASME B16.9: American Society of Mechanical Engineers standard, which specifies the dimensions, tolerances, and testing requirements for factory-manufactured butt-welded pipe fittings and is one of the most widely used standards.
ASME B16.25: Specifies the details of the end beveling for butt-welded pipe fittings to ensure the compatibility of the welded joints.
MSS SP-43: American Association of Valves and Fittings Manufacturers Standards standard, applicable to lightweight stainless steel butt-welded pipe fittings.
GB/T 12459: Chinese national standard, specifying the types, parameters, and dimensions of steel butt-welded pipe fittings.
ISO 3419: International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standard for non-alloy and alloy steel butt-welded pipe fittings.
These standards cover materials, dimensions, tolerances, pressure ratings, and testing methods, ensuring that the fittings are suitable for harsh operating conditions such as high temperature and high pressure.
III. ASME B16.9 Butt-Weld Cap Dimensions and Weight Parameters
ASME B16.9 provides detailed specifications for the dimensions and weight of butt-welded pipe caps to ensure design consistency and ease of installation. The following are key parameters:
Dimensions:
Nominal Diameter (NPS): Ranges from NPS 1/2" to NPS 48", covering common pipe sizes. The cap's port diameter and wall thickness must match those of the mating pipe.
Length (E): Refers to the overall height of the cap, varying depending on its shape and outer diameter. Refer to the ASME B16.9 dimensional parameter table for specific values.
Wall Thickness (t): Typically matches the wall thickness of the connected pipe. Standard cap wall thickness series include Sch 5S, Sch 10S, Sch 40S, Sch 80S, etc., corresponding to different pressure ratings.
ASME B16.9 Butt-Weld Cap Dimensions
Nominal Size |
outside Diameter at Bevel |
Length |
Limiting Wall Thickness for Length E |
||
| DN | NPS | OD | E | E1 | |
| 15 | 1/2 | 21.3 | 25 | 25 | 4.57 |
| 20 | 3/4 | 26.7 | 25 | 25 | 3.81 |
| 25 | 1 | 33.4 | 38 | 38 | 4.57 |
| 32 | 1 ¼ | 42.2 | 38 | 38 | 4.83 |
| 40 | 1 ½ | 48.3 | 38 | 38 | 5.08 |
| 50 | 2 | 60.3 | 38 | 44 | 5.59 |
| 65 | 2 ½ | 73.0 | 38 | 51 | 7.11 |
| 80 | 3 | 88.9 | 51 | 64 | 7.62 |
| 90 | 3 ½ | 101.6 | 64 | 76 | 8.13 |
| 100 | 4 | 114.3 | 64 | 76 | 8.64 |
| 125 | 5 | 141.3 | 76 | 89 | 9.65 |
| 150 | 6 | 168.3 | 89 | 102 | 10.92 |
| 200 | 8 | 219.1 | 102 | 127 | 12.70 |
| 250 | 10 | 273.0 | 127 | 152 | 12.70 |
| 300 | 12 | 323.8 | 152 | 178 | 12.70 |
| 350 | 14 | 355.6 | 165 | 191 | 12.70 |
| 400 | 16 | 406.4 | 178 | 203 | 12.70 |
| 450 | 18 | 457.0 | 203 | 229 | 12.70 |
| 500 | 20 | 508.0 | 229 | 254 | 12.70 |
| 550 | 22 | 559.0 | 254 | 254 | 12.70 |
| 600 | 24 | 610.0 | 267 | 305 | 12.70 |
| 650 | 26 | 660.0 | 267 | ﹍ | ﹍ |
| 700 | 28 | 711.0 | 267 | ﹍ | ﹍ |
| 750 | 30 | 762.0 | 267 | ﹍ | ﹍ |
| 800 | 32 | 813.0 | 267 | ﹍ | ﹍ |
| 850 | 34 | 864.0 | 267 | ﹍ | ﹍ |
| 900 | 36 | 914.0 | 267 | ﹍ | ﹍ |
| 950 | 38 | 965.0 | 305 | ﹍ | ﹍ |
| 1000 | 40 | 1016.0 | 305 | ﹍ | ﹍ |
| 1050 | 42 | 1067.0 | 305 | ﹍ | ﹍ |
| 1100 | 44 | 1118.0 | 343 | ﹍ | ﹍ |
| 1150 | 46 | 1168.0 | 343 | ﹍ | ﹍ |
| 1200 | 48 | 1219.0 | 343 | ﹍ | ﹍ |
Theoretical Weight Parameters
The weight of a pipe cap depends on its material, wall thickness, and dimensions. The following is a reference weight table for butt-welded pipe caps according to ASME B16.9:
Nominal Size |
Sch20 | Sch30 | STD | Sch40 | Sch60 | XS | Sch80 | Sch100 | Sch120 | Sch140 | Sch160 | XXS | |
| DN | NPS | ||||||||||||
| 15 20 25 |
1/2 3/4 1 |
0.04 0.05 0.10 |
0.04 0.05 0.12 |
0.04 0.05 0.12 |
0.06 0.07 0.16 |
0.06 0.07 0.16 |
0.08 0.11 0.22 |
0.11 0.15 0.32 |
|||||
| 32 40 50 |
1/4 11/2 2 |
0.13 0.16 0.21 |
0.16 0.19 0.26 |
0.16 0.19 0.26 |
0.22 0.26 0.36 |
0.22 0.26 0.36 |
0.28 0.36 0.57 |
0.43 0.52 0.73 |
|||||
| 65 80 90 |
21/2 3 31/2 |
0.40 0.65 0.90 |
0.44 0.73 1.07 |
0.44 0.73 1.07 |
0.59 1.08 1.51 |
0.59 1.08 1.51 |
0.80 1.48 - |
1.18 2.02 - |
|||||
| 100 125 150 |
4 5 6 |
1.04 - - |
1.30 2.10 3.19 |
1.30 2.10 3.19 |
1.85 3.06 4.93 |
1.85 3.06 4.93 |
2.40 4.07 6.41 |
2.91 5.09 8.20 |
3.69 6.10 9.86 |
||||
| 200 250 300 |
8 10 12 |
4.45 6.89 9.75 |
4.92 8.46 12.9 |
5.72 10.1 14.6 |
5.72 10.1 15.9 |
7.21 13.9 21.9 |
8.88 13.8 19.5 |
8.88 16.4 26.9 |
10.6 19.8 32.9 |
12.8 23.3 39.0 |
14.5 27.6 43.9 |
16.1 31.0 51.2 |
15.6 27.6 39.0 |
| 350 400 450 |
14 16 18 |
14.6 18.3 23.4 |
17.6 22.1 32.9 |
17.5 22.1 28.2 |
20.5 29.4 42.2 |
27.7 38.6 56.3 |
23.3 29.4 37.5 |
35.0 49.7 70.4 |
43.8 60.7 86.8 |
51.1 71.7 103 |
58.4 84.6 117 |
65.7 93.8 134 |
|
| 500 550 600 |
20 22 24 |
35.1 42.7 49.7 |
46.8 56.9 74.5 |
35.1 42.7 49.7 |
55.6 - 91.2 |
76.0 99.7 129 |
46.8 57.0 66.3 |
96.5 128 162 |
120 157 203 |
141 185 240 |
164 214 273 |
184 242 311 |
|
| 650 700 750 |
26 28 30 |
74.0 82.4 91.2 |
103 114 - |
55.6 61.8 68.5 |
74.1 82.4 91.2 |
||||||||
| 800 850 900 |
32 34 36 |
101 110 120 |
126 138 150 |
75.4 82.7 90.2 |
138 152 180 |
101 110 120 |
|||||||
| 950 1000 1050 |
38 40 42 |
104 113 122 |
139 150 162 |
||||||||||
| 1100 1150 1200 |
44 46 48 |
138 148 158 |
184 197 210 |
||||||||||
Weight calculations take into account geometric volume and material density; actual weight may vary slightly depending on the manufacturer's processes. Weight parameters are of significant reference value for logistics and pipeline design.
Tolerance Range for Butt-Welded Pipe Fittings
ASME B16.9 specifies the critical tolerances for butt-welded pipe caps, ensuring product interchangeability and installation accuracy. Strict tolerance control guarantees weld quality and reduces installation stress.
| Nominal Size | All Fittings |
45°&90° Elbows & Tees, Crosses |
3D Radius Elbows |
Returns |
Caps |
Reducers & Lap Joint Stub Ends |
Lap Joint Stub Ends |
||||||
| DN | NPS | OD 3) 4) | ID 3) | A B C M | A B | O |
K | U | E, E1 | H F | G |
R | t |
| 15-65 | 1/2 -21/2 | +1.6 -0.8 |
± 0.8 | ± 2 | ± 3 | ± 6 | ± 6 | ± 1 | ± 3 | ± 2 | 0 -1 |
0 -1 |
+1.6 0 |
| 80-90 | 3-31/2 | ± 1.6 | ± 1.6 | ± 2 | ± 3 | ± 6 | ± 6 | ± 1 | ± 3 | ± 2 | 0 -1 |
0 -1 |
+1.6 0 |
| 100 | 4 | ± 1.6 | ± 1.6 | ± 2 | ± 3 | ± 6 | ± 6 | ± 1 | ± 3 | ± 2 | 0 -1 |
0 -2 |
+1.6 0 |
| 125-200 | 5-8 | +2.4 -1.6 |
± 1.6 | ± 2 | ± 3 | ± 6 | ± 6 | ± 1 | ± 6 | ± 2 | 0 -1 |
0 -2 |
+1.6 0 |
| 250-450 | 10-18 | +4.0 -3.2 |
± 3.2 | ± 2 | ± 3 | ± 10 | ± 6 | ± 2 | ± 6 | ± 2 | 0 -2 |
0 -2 |
+3.2 0 |
| 500-600 | 20-24 | +6.4 -4.8 |
± 4.8 | ± 2 | ± 3 | ± 10 | ± 6 | ± 2 | ± 6 | ± 2 | 0 -2 |
0 -2 |
+3.2 0 |
| 650-750 | 26-30 | +6.4 -4.8 |
± 4.8 | ± 3 | ± 6 | --- | --- | --- | ± 10 | ± 5 | --- | --- | --- |
| 800-1200 | 32-48 | +6.4 -4.8 |
± 4.8 | ± 5 | ± 6 | --- | --- | --- | ± 10 | ± 5 | --- | --- | --- |
| 1300-1500 | 52-60 | +6.4 -4.8 |
± 4.8 | ± 5 | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1600-1700 | 64-68 | +6.4 -4.8 |
± 4.8 | ± 5 | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1800-2000 | 72-80 | +6.4 -4.8 |
± 4.8 | ± 5 | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
IV. Application Scope
Butt-welded pipe caps are suitable for various industrial applications:
Pressure Systems: Used in boilers, pressure vessels, and high-pressure pipelines, withstanding pressures up to 1000 PSI or higher.
Corrosive Environments: Available in stainless steel, alloy steel, or nickel-based alloys, for chemical and marine engineering applications.
High-Temperature Conditions: In the power or oil refining industries, withstanding temperatures up to 500°C.
Food and Pharmaceutical Industries: Made of polished stainless steel, meeting sanitary requirements.
When applying these caps, the appropriate material and wall thickness must be selected based on the characteristics of the medium, temperature, and pressure, and safety standards such as the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code must be followed.
As a key component of piping systems, butt-welded pipe caps, with their reliable sealing, standardized dimensions, and wide range of applications, have become an indispensable part of industrial pipelines. Choosing products that comply with ASME B16.9 standards ensures safe and efficient system operation.
Why Choose Shengtian?
Strict Quality Control: From raw material procurement and processing technology to product delivery, we control product quality throughout the entire process. Each batch undergoes multiple rounds of testing to ensure compliance with relevant standards.
Customization Services: We professionally undertake prefabricated pipe sections, steel structures, and other engineering projects based on customer drawings; we customize products with special dimensions, pressure ratings, and materials according to customer needs.
Professional After-Sales Service: Our experienced sales team provides customers with professional technical support and problem solutions.
Contact Us: If you need customized processing of various prefabricated pipe sections, steel structures, and other engineering projects, please contact us. We will provide you with high-quality products and professional services.
Email: sale@stpipefitting.cn
Tel: 0086-317-5298199
GOST 12820 Steel Plate Flanges
DIN2573 PN6 Plate Flange
GOST 12836 Blind Flange Dimensions PN40 4.0Mpa