They may be small but they happen to be one of the most critical (and easy to replace) component of your spray equipment and should definitely not be underestimated!
When inspecting your spray nozzles, consider the following three factors which can help to determine what you should be looking for and what steps to take, should you have any issues.
Nozzle Material
Spray nozzles are available in various materials that are ideally suited for different sprayers, and the type of fluid that will be applied. Some of the materials used in the most popular of spray nozzles include ceramic, silicon carbide, and polyacetal, which all are generally highly resistant to wear. Other materials used for spray nozzles include stainless steel, brass or even titanium especially for highly corrosive applications. Often spray nozzles that require chemical resistance are made of thermoplastics like Teflon or polyvinylidine difluoride (PVDF), a specialty plastic used with solvents, bases or acids.
Because every spray nozzle will vary in terms of their use, the type and quality of fluid that is used, and frequency of use, the service life of each nozzle will also vary considerably. Polyacetal nozzles for instance, tend to last almost twice as long as stainless steel nozzles. In addition, the temperature of your application is also an important factor in determining the service life of your nozzle since some materials like metals, in particular, cast iron and stainless steel, are more resistant to higher temperature applications than other materials, like plastics.
Type of Application
Spray nozzles need to be checked if there is a change in the type of application since each nozzle is usually compatible with specific types of fluids and applications. To help you determine the appropriate spray nozzle for your particular needs, check out our previous blog post which details the primary considerations for choosing the correct spray nozzle and even includes selection guides from TeeJet and Hypro, two of our most popular spray nozzle manufacturers.
General Wear and Tear
Like all spray equipment, spray nozzles are subject to general wear and tear caused by normal use over time. Be particularly aware of any visible signs of erosion or damage which may cause changes to the application of your fluids. If your spray pattern is altered or the flow is interrupted, this could be a sign of a faulty or failing nozzle. Being observant about such minor aberrations can save you wasted costs, time, and energy in the long run.
Routine inspections of your spray nozzles can be performed easily, without any special tools, and ideally should be done with each use. Be sure to check out our website for the largest selection of spray nozzles when it comes time for ordering a replacement and if you should need any assistance or have questions, don't hesitate to contact one of our professional and experienced Customer Service Technicians for help you all your spray equipment, parts, and accessory needs!