Spray Nozzle Glossary: Spray Patterns, Flow & Materials

Spray Nozzle Glossary: Essential Terms & Definitions for Your Spraying Needs

Fan Spray: A flat, wide spray pattern ideal for even coverage over large areas (e.g., lawns, cleaning surfaces).
Full Cone Spray: A conical spray pattern with a hollow center, offering good coverage with minimal overspray (e.g., industrial cleaning, dust suppression).
Air Atomizing: Uses compressed air to create a fine mist, ideal for delicate applications (e.g., painting, cooling).
Hollow Cone: Narrower inner cone than a full cone, offering focused coverage with minimal drift.
Jetting: Produces a powerful, concentrated stream for high-pressure tasks (e.g., cleaning, cutting).
Penetrating: Creates a focused stream to pierce through dense materials (e.g., foliage, debris).
Shower: Gentle, rain-like spray pattern for delicate watering or herbicide application.

Flow Rate (GPM/LPM): The amount of liquid passing through a nozzle per unit time, impacting pressure and coverage.
Pressure Drop: Decrease in pressure as liquid flows through the nozzle, affecting spray pattern and performance.
Angle of Repose: Angle at which the spray pattern falls back to the ground, influencing coverage and penetration.
Flow Coefficient (Cv): Number indicating flow rate for a given pressure drop.
Impact Angle: Angle at which liquid hits the surface, affecting cleaning and potential damage.
Shear Rate: Rate at which liquid layers move within the nozzle, influencing droplet size and uniformity.
Turn Down Ratio: Maximum flow rate reduction achievable by adjusting the nozzle.

Brass: Durable for low-pressure applications, good value and moderate wear resistance.
Stainless Steel: Stronger and more corrosion-resistant than brass, ideal for high-pressure, demanding environments.
Acetal: Lightweight, chemically resistant plastic for low-pressure, non-corrosive applications.
Polypropylene (PP): Affordable and chemically resistant, suitable for moderate-pressure applications.
Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE): Highly resistant to abrasion and chemicals, ideal for demanding environments.
Tungsten Carbide: Extremely hard and wear-resistant for abrasive or high-impact applications.
Viton: Synthetic rubber offering excellent resistance to heat, chemicals, and oils.

Cap: Covers the orifice for storage and prevents accidental spraying.
Orifice: Opening where liquid flows, determining flow rate and spray pattern.
Shroud: Shapes the spray pattern and influences coverage.
Stem: Connects the nozzle to the spray system.
Vanes: Internal components controlling spray direction and distribution.

Abrasive Blasting: Cleaning or surface preparation using pressurized air and abrasive media.
Atomization: Breaking down liquids into fine droplets for various applications.
Cooling: Directing a spray to cool objects or machinery.
Dust Suppression: Controlling airborne dust with water mist.
Lubrication: Precisely delivering lubricants.