Head Forming for Pressure Vessels

We hot-press and form pressure vessel heads for use in Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, the Yukon, Northwest Territories, and in the United States.

Pressure vessel heads are one of the primary components of a pressure vessel and are fitted to either ends of the pressure vessel shell or to reactors, storage tanks, or distillation columns.

We can also manufacture heads to be untrimmed, trimmed, or beveled (single or double) as you require.

Semi-Elliptical Pressure Vessel Heads

Semi-elliptical heads are a half-ellipse with a 2:1 ratio, which means their diameter is four times their depth. Because they can be formed from flat plate, they’re both more economical and easier to manufacture than other head types, which has made them a popular choice for tight budgets and turnaround times.

Semi-elliptical heads are excellent for low to moderate pressure applications. They provide a smooth transition from the shell, which helps minimize stress points, so they’re stronger than flanged and dished heads, but not quite as robust as hemispherical heads.

Hemispherical Pressure Vessel Heads

Hemispherical heads are the strongest formed head type available. In fact, they were designed with high-pressure applications in mind.

Constructed from welded segments into a perfect half-sphere where their diameter is only two times their depth, hemispherical heads have very even internal pressure distribution, which significantly reduces stress on the material and joins of the pressure vessel. This allows for improved structural stability, increased longevity, and better resistance to high-pressures.

Certified Pressure Vessel Head Repair Services

Pressure vessel head failures are often catastrophic events with sudden, violent explosions, resulting in a shockwave, metal fragment projectiles, and the release of high-pressure, high-temperature gasses and liquids, which may or may not be corrosive or flammable depending on what you use your vessel to store.

The best way to prevent damage to property and loss of life from equipment failures like these is to have your pressure vessel regularly inspected and maintained. We hold an NBBI ‘R’ stamp, and we’re certified under ASME VIII Division 1 and 2, ASME B31.3, and by the Canadian Welding Bureau (CWB), and all our vessels are fabricated and repaired under ISO 9001 quality standards.

If you’re due for an inspection or in the market for repairs to a pressure vessel or pressure vessel head, don’t hesitate to contact us.

Head Forming & Pressing Projects

See our past work in custom head forming and pressing for clients across Canada and the United States.