Nozzle Materials: A Complete Guide

Nozzles, though small, are crucial in various industrial equipment. They determine the uniformity of fluid distribution, spray precision, and durability, directly affecting overall process efficiency and product quality. The material of the nozzle is the foundation of all this—incorrect material selection means that even the most precise design cannot run stably over the long term. So, what performance differences exist between different nozzle materials? Which scenarios are suitable for various nozzle materials? This article will provide you with a comprehensive analysis.

Why is spray nozzle material so important?

The basic function of a nozzle is to control the release of fluids, performing tasks such as atomization, flushing, cooling, cleaning, spraying, or propulsion.

• In the chemical industry: used in acid-base neutralization towers, desulfurization and denitrification systems, and chemical reactor spray systems

• In manufacturing: applied in cutting fluid cooling, automatic cleaning systems, and powder spraying

• In energy and environmental protection: used for waste incineration flue gas treatment and boiler cooling systems

• In mining and steel industries: used for mist dust removal, high-pressure cleaning, and hot rolling cooling

• In agriculture and horticulture: used for automatic irrigation and insecticide spraying

• In electronics and precision processing: used for precise inkjet printing and semiconductor microfluidic systems

Nozzles vary greatly across different industries, requiring materials that differ significantly in terms of corrosion resistance, thermal stability, spray precision, and scale prevention capabilities.

Common nozzle material types

Stainless Steel (304/316/316L)

Core advantages: High versatility, strong mechanical strength, resistant to most weak corrosive media

Technical characteristics: Type 304 suitable for neutral/weak acid-base conditions, types 316/316L contain molybdenum, suitable for moderate corrosion environments (such as seawater, chloride-containing)

Typical applications: Food spray cooling systems, stainless steel cleaning arms, CIP nozzles

Notes: Stress corrosion cracking may still occur under strong acid-base conditions.

Brass

Core advantages: Good machinability, high thermal conductivity, low cost

Typical applications: Agricultural sprinklers, low-pressure cooling, fan water spraying devices

Disadvantages and limitations: Susceptible to corrosion by acidic media, limited lifespan in high wear or long-term operation

Engineering plastics (PP, PVC, PVDF, PTFE):

- Common material comparisons:

  PP (Polypropylene): Resistant to most acids and alkalis, cost-effective, temperature limit ~90°C

  PVDF: Resistant to fluorides, high temperature resistant, higher mechanical strength than PP

  PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene): Extremely resistant to chemical corrosion, but lower mechanical strength

- Suitable applications: Chemical scrubbers, desulfurization and denitrification systems, spray towers for corrosive gas treatment

Ceramic

- Core advantages: High hardness, extremely wear-resistant, suitable for long-term spraying operations

- Typical applications: Sandblasting equipment, powder conveying nozzles, hydraulic coal mining nozzles

- Lifespan advantage: Can extend lifespan by 5-10 times compared to stainless steel

Tungsten Carbide

Characteristics Overview:

High density (15.6 g/cm³), high Rockwell hardness (>90 HRA)

Combines hardness with some toughness

Application Examples: Metal cutting cooling, water jet holes for oil drill bits, dust suppression spray in coal mines

Performance Advantages: Does not deform under high pressure, does not deviate; suitable for mixed solid-liquid flow with particulate media.

Jewel Nozzles (Ruby, Sapphire)

Applicable Scenarios: Ultrafine inkjet printing, 3D printer heads, medical spray equipment

Key Features: Micro-hole processing precision up to ±1 μm, almost no wear

Price Note: Expensive, suitable for ultra-high precision processes, not suitable for high-flow systems

Comparison of performance of different nozzle materials

Nozzle material selection recommendations

Agriculture and horticulture spraying: brass or stainless steel, focusing on cost and clog resistance performance

Chemical plant acid and alkali environments: choose high polymer plastics such as PTFE and PVDF

Sandblasting rust removal operations: ceramic or tungsten carbide, long wear life, resistant to particle impact

High-pressure cleaning equipment: tungsten carbide or reinforced stainless steel, balancing strength and lifespan

Food/pharmaceutical spraying: stainless steel, combining hygiene and chemical stability

Nozzle selection process recommendations

When selecting nozzles, follow this order for material selection:

1. Identify the medium: Is it acid, alkali, particles, gas, or liquid?

2. Recognize the operating conditions: Are there high temperatures, high pressure, corrosion, or wear?

3. Expected lifespan: To reduce replacement frequency, prioritize highly wear-resistant materials.

4. Cost budget: For cost-effectiveness, choose stainless steel; for extreme performance, consider ceramics or tungsten carbide.

5. Precision requirement: If the spray hole precision is extremely high, a gem nozzle is more suitable.

The end of the article

Nozzles, though small, are crucial for system efficiency. Selecting the right nozzle materials for specific conditions can boost production, extend equipment life, reduce maintenance, and cut long-term costs. In any industry, the right nozzle material is key to improved performance. Xinhou offers high-performance nozzles for various applications, featuring a wide range of materials like stainless steel, ceramics, and engineering plastics. We also provide customization, fast delivery, and expert advice. Contact Xinhou today to enhance your project's stability and efficiency!