Caps & Plugs - A quick buyer's Guide
Cap & Plug Solutions
Whether you need to protect your products from damage and contamination or mask holes in the painting process, caps and plugs are essential to ensuring your parts remain safe and functional.
When it comes to caps and plugs, application process and material choice are key. For example, if an application needs a solution that provides thread protection, round vinyl end caps are a great choice. Vinyl will not tear, split or shred when applied or removed. If you need to protect the thread on studs for your automotive or engineering application, flange protection caps work well. For protection against damage, dirt, moisture and corrosion during shipping or storage, try our standard tapered caps & plugs, which work great.
This guide is designed to give buyers an introduction. For expert advice, we’re always happy to help. We can also help with free samples and CADs. You’ll like our flexibility too. Small orders are no problem. And whatever you need, you can depend on fast dispatch.
Getting started: choosing the right cap or plug
What do you want from your cap or plug? The answers to these questions can start you in the right direction.
I need to save time
Fit multiple profiles with fast hand applications
Tapered Round Plugs with Flange
Protects against contamination during transportation and storage
I have to think about heat
Choose PVC or silicone for your material
Protects unused connector ports on electrical components
I use tool-based processes
Go for a cross head or custom cap or plug
Can be applied or removed with screwdriver, spanner or socket. They can be tightened manually or with power tool
I need to protect against liquids or contain liquids
Opt for an O-ring
Especially popular for hydraulic-fitting applications
I’m protecting an NPT threaded hole
Select a threaded plug
Threaded Protection Plugs for NPT Threads
Protects from contamination and moisture during production and shipment
I need fast removal
Use caps and plugs with pull tabs or flanges
Side pull tab for quick removal
Now let’s look at some examples of caps and plugs.
Push fit caps & plugs
Maintain quality and ensure smooth assembly and transit by protecting critical internal and external profiles from damage.
FEATURES: Many styles available including Tapered, Easy Removal, Quick-Fit, Flexible and Pull-Tab
MATERIAL: Material options include LDPE, Vinyl (PVC), TPR, TPE, and EVA suitable for different applications
SPECIFICATION: A diverse range of dimensions helping to protect non-threaded or threaded applications
- Plugs multiple inner diameters
- Caps multiple outside diameters
- Tapered caps and plugs made of Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE), a rigid, yet soft material
- Large pull tab for easy removal
- Available in PVC for flexibility and airtight seal
- Available in Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA) for tensile strength, toughness and flexibility
- Set of blades lock tight when pushed into a threaded hole and twisted
- Each plug covers a range of different thread sizes and styles
- Easy removal by simply unscrewing the plug from the thread
Flexible End Cap - Acid Resistance
- Available in TPE and TPR
- Flexible material can stretch onto larger diameters for a snug fit
- Good resistance to acids
- Hanging tab to work with round wire hooks and other support wire hooks
- Patented Quick Fit design easily locks the plug into place with a simple push
- Strong and flexible pull-tab for quick removal
- Seven sizes in two styles protect more than 25 popular thread sizes
- Made of Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE), a rigid, yet soft material
Masking caps, plugs and tapes
Help increase customer satisfaction with a professional finish by masking and protecting important areas with easy-to-fit caps and plugs.
FEATURES: Choose from , Flangeless, Pull Plugs, Flexible, Stretch Fit and Easy-Pull Caps
MATERIAL: Material options include TPR, EPDM, Vinyl (PVC), Silicone, Polyimide Tape and Fibreglass Cloth Tape
SPECIFICATION: What is your applications maximum temperature requirements? Our solutions perform in temperatures up to 600°F (315°C)
High-Temperature Silicone Tapered Plugs
- Available as a solid plug or with a hollow core to aid in compression and reduce cost due to less material used
- Excellent chemical resistance
- Reusable
- Also available in EPDM
- Masks holes without masking surrounding areas
- Protects multiple diameters
- Masking pull plug with tab for easy installation and removal
- Available in TPR and EPDM
- Masks threaded or non-threaded through holes
- Fast, easy removal
- Available in silicone and EPDM
- Suitable for a multitude of applications
- Flexible to ensure a tight fitting
- High-temperature PVC
- Highly conformable
- Excellent heat and solvent resistance
Masking tape – Fibreglass Cloth
- Easy to remove without fraying
- Excellent for masking irregular shapes and corners
Threaded caps & plugs
In applications where precision is everything, you can protect your vital threads from contamination and damage during manufacture and shipping.
FEATURES: Choose from Threaded Sealing, Protection Caps, Snap-Fit and O-Ring Plugs
MATERIAL: Common choices include HDPE, LDPE, polypropylene (PP) and nylon. LDPE gives a degree of flexibility, while PP resists chemicals. HDPE and nylon are desirable for their durability
ADAPTABILITY: Depending on the application process or cap and plug styles, there are options for hand or tool operated solutions
SPECIFICATION: Available in UNF, Metric, SAE, NPT, JIC and BSP thread styles
Threaded O-ring Plug - Metric Threads
- Can be applied or removed by hand, hex wrench or screwdriver
- Compressing flange lip and O-Ring provide water-tight seal for superior leakage protection
- Available in a variety of threads
- Available in HDPE
- Protects threaded components from dust, moisture and damage during production, storage and shipment
- Designed with an easy-to-grip head for ease of hand installation
Threaded Sealing Caps - Metric Threads
- Protects and limits fluid leakage
- HDPE material resistant to solvents and reduces potential shearing
- Hexagonal head can be tightened by a wrench or socket at low torque, but hand tightening recommended
- Center tab allows for a strong grip for easy tightening and removal
- Suitable as a metric threaded cap, and for BSP and UNF threads
- Made of Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE) to protect from damage
Pipe and flange protection caps and plugs
Transportation and handling can damage and contaminate pipes. Eliminate the risks you face with quality protection, giving you the reassurance you need to get on with the job.
FEATURES: Protects threaded or non-threaded pipe ends from damage or contamination
MATERIAL: Polyethylene, including low density polyethylene (LDPE), is a low cost but durable material that allows easy assembly and removal
SPECIFICATION: Standard sizes will protect ANSI, API and DIN pipe ends
- Secure friction fit with mating pipe’s I.D.
- Excellent protection against contaminants
- Made of Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE), a rigid, yet soft material
- Made of flexible, yet rigid, LDPE
- Internal ribs ensure tight fit and release after pressure build up
- Also available with Vent Hole
Push-In Full Face Flange Protectors
- Flexible fins for snug fit
- Fasteners not required
- DN 10-300, ANSI ½in – 12in
Adhesive Full Face Flange Protectors
- Tight bond
- Peel and stick design
- Leaves no residue
Hydraulics caps and plugs
Protecting your hydraulic fittings can require specialist caps and plugs. Mitigate fitting damage and maintain thread protection with our wide range of hydraulic solutions.
SPECIFICATION: Many styles available such as Side Pull Plugs, Easy Removal Hexagonal Caps, Threaded and Quick Release Plugs
MATERIAL: LDPE and TPE are two examples of materials used in hydraulics protection. Both are strong and durable, yet provide a degree of flexibility. HDPE and nylon are also used for their strength, while polypropylene is especially good at resisting chemicals
ADAPTABILITY: No matter the protection level needed, you can choose from push-In styles for light protection against dust, or threaded sealing solutions for a more robust sealing protection
- Rigid design allows easy application and removal
- Available in all common hydraulic coupling sizes
- Also suitable for protecting round components
- Designed to remain attached to hose
- Made of TPE for excellent flexural fatigue resistance and high-impact strength
- Knurled head for an ergonomic grip
- Excellent protection from dirt, moisture and corrosion
Download free CADs and try before you buy
Free CADs are available for most solutions, which you can download for free. You can also request free samples to ensure the solutions you’ve chosen are exactly what you need. If you’re not quite sure which product will work best for your application, our experts are always happy to advise you.
Request your free samples or download free CADs now.
Questions?
Email us at sales@essentracomponents.co.uk or speak to one of our experts for further information on the ideal solution for your application 0345 528 0474.