Tube end plate for heat exchanger with tubes and water boxes

A tube end plate for a heat exchanger having tubes engaged into collars of the tube end plate which is covered by a water box, the tube end plate having a peripheral groove cooperating with a lower portion of the water box to which it is rigidly connected for forming therewith a hollow beam, and wherein there is provided a bottom portion of the tube end plate in which are made tube passages defined by collars to which are brazed the tubes and between which are provided transverse slots extending transversely up to an inner wall defining the peripheral groove, the transverse slots accommodating thermally-caused deformations of the tube end plate between adjacent tubes whereby flexibility of the tube end plate is insured.