Surface tension is one of the key factors affecting the performance of fine mist sprayers.
The effect of surface tension on atomization quality
Liquids with high surface tension tend to maintain larger droplets and are difficult to form fine and uniform atomization effects. When such high surface tension liquids pass through the nozzle of a fine mist sprayer, the sprayed droplets are larger and the spray is not uniform enough. In this case, the liquid may appear as droplets or irregular sprays during the spraying process, affecting the coverage and effect of the spray.
Liquids with lower surface tension, such as alcohol, water, or solutions containing surfactants, are more easily atomized. When the liquid is under pressure in the nozzle, it can quickly disperse into extremely fine droplets to form a uniform and delicate spray. This fine mist can evenly cover a larger area, ensuring that the liquid forms a thin and uniform coating on the target surface.
The relationship between surface tension and spray particle size
The particle size of the spray is closely related to the surface tension of the liquid. The greater the surface tension, the stronger the attraction between liquid molecules, and the liquid tends to gather into larger droplets. For liquids with high surface tension, the nozzle pressure needs to be higher to overcome the molecular pull inside the liquid and break the liquid into smaller droplets. This means that when using high surface tension liquids, the sprayer may need additional design improvements, such as increasing the nozzle pressure or changing the nozzle aperture to adapt to the characteristics of the liquid.
In many practical applications, such as perfumes, cosmetics, and disinfectants, the size of the atomized particles directly affects the user experience. Fine droplets can evenly cover the surface of the skin or objects, while larger droplets will cause the liquid to concentrate in one place, forming wet marks or uneven distribution. Therefore, reducing the surface tension of the liquid becomes an important means to improve the uniformity of the spray.