Baffle as an end cap?

[rqlasl]

If you fully weld the last baffle in place around the full diameter of the tube and plug weld it as well
is there any reason you couldn't use it as the end cap?.......

[Bendersquint]

If you fully weld the last baffle in place around the full diameter of the tube and plug weld it as well
is there any reason you couldn't use it as the end cap?.......

Will be lower performance than having an actual endcap but nothing says you cant do it.

[doubloon]

I always thought of the end cap as the last baffle anyway. Maybe not a very good one but it seems to provide at least a modicum of gas restriction before release to the open atmosphere.

[Capt. Link.]

A cone type baffle needs space ahead and behind for performance as do others.You may decrease the effectiveness of the last baffle by eliminating the end cap.

[whiterussian1974]

Three excellent responses Gentlemen.
Nothing else to add.

[ranb]

I made a few cans with front end caps shaped like a conical baffle until I realized that I was actually reducing the volume of the silencer by doing this. I use regular end caps now.

Ranb

[rqlasl]

Thanks for the replies gentlemen. Endcap it is.

[LavaRed]

Your question can, however, be approached from another direction. Namely, it is my opinion that one should always optimise the use of resources. Therefore, you should always design your endcap to partially act as a final baffle. So, in my opinion, the endcap is always the last baffle. Making a flat endcap with no material removed inside is just a waste of volume and will needlessly increase weight.
Additionally, crowning the endcap may help accuracy (I haven't verified this yet, but it sure won't hurt it).