FAQ

The main difference is that 316 Stainless Steel contains molybdenum, which offers superior corrosion resistance to chlorides and industrial chemicals compared to 304 Stainless Steel. While 304 is the standard for general use, NozzlePro standardizes on 316SS to ensure our nozzles last longer in harsh chemical environments, marine applications, and food processing facilities using caustic cleaners.

Spiral nozzles (also known as pigtail or corkscrew nozzles) offer the best clogging resistance. Their design lacks an internal vane, providing a large "maximum free passage" that allows debris and solids to pass through without blocking the orifice. These are ideal for scrubbing towers, fire suppression, and wastewater applications.

PVDF (Kynar) is generally superior for handling strong acids like sulfuric or hydrochloric acid, where stainless steel may corrode over time. While 316 Stainless Steel is excellent for solvents and heat, PVDF provides high-purity chemical resistance without metal leaching. Choose PVDF for acid lines; choose Stainless Steel for high-temperature or high-impact applications.

Stainless steel nozzles typically last 4 to 5 times longer than brass nozzles under the same operating pressure. Brass is a softer metal and is highly susceptible to wear from fluid erosion, especially if the water contains even trace amounts of particulates. We recommend avoiding brass for high-pressure industrial washing or abrasive fluid applications.

You must use food-grade materials compliant with FDA or USDA standards, such as 316 Stainless Steel, PVDF, or Food-Grade Polypropylene. Standard industrial nozzles may contain brass, lower-grade seals, or lubricants not safe for food contact. NozzlePro’s 316SS and PVDF lines are ideal for clean-in-place (CIP) and direct food contact zones due to their non-porous, sanitary finish.

Tungsten carbide is extremely wear-resistant but brittle and sensitive to thermal shock. If you run cold water through a hot carbide nozzle (or vice versa), it can fracture. Additionally, overtightening during installation can crack the carbide insert. For applications with rapid temperature changes, a hardened stainless steel nozzle may be a more durable choice despite faster wear.

Ceramic or Tungsten Carbide nozzles are the industry standard for abrasive fluids (like limestone slurry, clay, or wet sand). These materials are much harder than steel and resist the "sandblasting" effect of particulates that would widen a stainless steel orifice in hours. While more expensive upfront, they drastically reduce downtime and replacement frequency.

NPT (National Pipe Taper) is the standard thread type used in the United States and Canada, featuring a 60° thread angle. BSPT (British Standard Pipe Taper) is common in Europe, Asia, and Australia, featuring a 55° thread angle. These threads are not compatible. Please check your existing pipe fittings to ensure you order the matching thread type to prevent leaks or damage.

Yes, we highly recommend installing a line strainer or filter upstream from your nozzle. This prevents debris from clogging the nozzle orifice, which can distort spray patterns and reduce flow. For standard nozzles, a 50 to 100-mesh strainer is common; for fine misting nozzles, use a 200-mesh strainer.

Avoid overtightening, as this can strip threads or crack plastic nozzles. Generally, install the nozzle "hand-tight" and then give it an additional 1/4 to 1/2 turn with a wrench. Always ensure the threads are clean before installation.

Yes, thread sealant tape is recommended for most metal-to-metal connections (like Stainless Steel) to ensure a leak-free seal. However, use caution with plastic (PVDF) nozzles; excessive tape or overtightening can cause the plastic female fitting to crack due to outward pressure.

Soak the nozzle in a cleaning solution compatible with the material. If mechanical cleaning is needed, use a soft-bristled brush or a wooden toothpick. Never use metal objects (like wire, nails, or needles) to clean the orifice, as even microscopic scratches can permanently ruin the spray pattern and flow accuracy.

Yes. Our team provides technical guidance for custom nozzle configurations and system design assistance.

Visit our Spray Calculators & Tools page to calculate flow, pressure, and coverage based on your system parameters.

Absolutely. Send your current model number or specifications, and our engineers will provide an equivalent NozzlePro model. Another option is to search your current model number or SKU in the search bar of our Nozzle Search tool to find any matching nozzles.

This depends on the material. Our 316 Stainless Steel nozzles can generally withstand temperatures upwards of 800°F (426°C), provided the seals/gaskets in your system are compatible. Our PVDF (Kynar) nozzles are rated for temperatures up to approximately 200°F (93°C) to 300°F (149°C) depending on operating pressure.

Rated flow rates are based on water. Fluids with higher viscosity (thicker than water) will experience a lower flow rate, a narrower spray angle, and larger droplet sizes at the same pressure. You may need to increase system pressure or select a larger nozzle size to compensate for high-viscosity fluids.

Flow rate increases with pressure, but not linearly. The relationship follows the square root law: to double the flow rate, you must quadruple the pressure.

Nozzle wear is often invisible to the naked eye. Signs of wear include a visible "streaking" in the spray pattern, a decrease in pressure (due to the orifice enlarging), or an increase in flow rate. If the flow rate has increased by more than 10-15% over the nominal rating at a given pressure, the nozzle should be replaced to avoid wasting expensive chemicals or water.

While most hydraulic nozzles will pass fluid at very low pressures, a fully developed spray pattern typically requires a minimum of 10–20 PSI (0.7–1.4 bar). Below this pressure, the nozzle may only "dribble" or produce a collapsed angle rather than a uniform spray.

Static spray balls are stationary nozzles that rinse tanks by cascading fluid over the walls, ideal for light rinsing and low-impact cleaning. Rotary tank cleaning nozzles spin under fluid pressure to provide high-impact, 360-degree coverage, making them better suited for removing tough residues, scale, or thick sludges in food and chemical processing tanks.

Solid stream (0° spray angle) and narrow-angle flat fan nozzles (15° to 25°) produce the highest impact force per square inch. As the spray angle widens (e.g., to 65° or 110°), the impact force spreads out and decreases significantly. If your goal is deep cleaning or cutting, choose the narrowest angle possible that still covers your target area.

To reduce drift, you must increase the droplet size by lowering your operating pressure or selecting a nozzle with a larger orifice size. "Drift" occurs when droplets are too small (mist) and are carried away by air currents. Switching to an air-induction nozzle or a low-pressure flat fan nozzle is the most effective hardware solution for drift control.

Our nozzles are precision-engineered and quality tested to ISO standards in our global manufacturing facilities.

Yes, NozzlePro is committed to minimizing waste and optimizing energy efficiency through sustainable production methods.

NozzlePro is a division of SuperKlean Washdown Products, providing high-performance industrial spray nozzles for demanding applications.

You can reach us via our Contact Page.

Our headquarters are based in Burlingame, California, with distribution centers across North America.

We accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, PayPal, Apple Pay, Amazon Pay, Google Pay, and Shopify Payments. Corporate purchase orders are available for approved accounts.

Yes. You can check out as a guest or create an account for faster repeat orders, order tracking, and access to your order history.

Order confirmations are automatically sent to your email once your purchase is completed. Check your spam or promotions folder if you don’t see it within a few minutes.

Orders can only be changed or canceled within 1 hour of purchase. Contact us immediately at sales@nozzle-pro.com.

Yes. NozzlePro provides volume-based discounts and distributor programs. Please contact our sales team for details.

We ship to most regions worldwide. For shipping outside North America, contact our team for a quote.

Shipping costs are calculated at checkout and depend on weight, size, and destination. Expedited options are available.

Yes. Once shipped, you’ll receive an email with tracking information.

Sales tax is automatically calculated at checkout based on your location and local tax regulations.

Yes, Net 30 terms are available for qualified business accounts. Contact sales@nozzle-pro.com to apply.

Standard U.S. delivery typically takes 3–5 business days. International orders may take 7–14 business days depending on customs.

Please view NozzlePro's return policy here.

Contact sales@nozzle-pro.com with your order number. You’ll receive a prepaid label and return instructions.

Refunds are typically processed within 3–5 business days after the returned item is inspected.