Aerosol Valves

Aerosol 101

Tim Yerby
Corporate Technical Director
Precision Valve Corporation

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THE AEROSOL VALVE

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BENEFITS OF AEROSOLS
Convenient
Easy to Use/Immediate Use
Controlled Application
Compact
Portable
Long Lasting
Particle size/pattern control
Continuous spray
Recyclable (Regional)

3
VALVE FUNCTION

RELEASE THE CONTENTS

PERMIT FILLING OF PROPELLANT
ACT AS AN HERMETIC SEAL

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HISTORY

1790 France: Self-Pressurized carbonated

beverage introduced

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HISTORY

1927 Norway: Erik

Rotheim develops the
first aerosol can &
valve that holds and
dispenses propellant
& product.

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HISTORY

1943 USA: Department

Of Agriculture researchers
Goodhue & Sullivan
develop a small aerosol
can pressurized by a
liquefied gas. Service
men spray malaria
infested mosquitoes.

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HISTORY

Post War Commercialization: Valve staked

into a “Beer Can”
1949: Bob Abplanalp develops the first
one inch aerosol valve. Aerosols become
inexpensive and practical

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HISTORY

9
HISTORY

1953: Robert H
Ablanalp patents
the aerosol valve as
we know it today

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HISTORY

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 VALVE COMPONENTS

 7 COMPONENTS
 ACTUATOR--CONTROLS PATTERN AND
FLOW
 STEM--CONTROLS FLOW
 STEM GASKET--THE “ON/OFF” SWITCH
 SPRING--CLOSES THE VALVE
 HOUSING (BODY)--ENCLOSES
SPRING/STEM. ALSO CONTROLS FLOW
 DIP TUBE--DRAWS PRODUCT UP INTO
THE VALVE
 MOUNTING CUP (WITH MOUNTING CUP
GASKET)--THE LINK BETWEEN CAN AND
VALVE

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ASSEMBLED VALVE

Stem
Stem Gasket

Spring
Mounting Cup
Housing
Dip Tube

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OPERATION
Pressure on the actuator
depresses the stem. This
movement interrupts the
sealing action of the
gasket and exposes the
stem orifice to the
pressurized flow of the
product in the container,
thereby opening the
valve. When the
actuator is released, the
spring returns the stem
orifice to the sealed
position, closing the
valve.
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OPERATION

Product Flow
Through The
Valve
 1. Dip Tube
 2. Housing
 3. Stem
 4. Actuator

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OPERATION

Headspace

Product
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PROPELLANTS

PROPELLANTS GENERATE PRESSURE INSIDE

THE CAN
WIDE RANGE OF PRESSURES (17 PSIG--140
PSIG)

Pressure Gauge

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PROPELLANTS

LIQUEFIED UNDER PRESSURE

COMPRESSED GAS

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PROPELLANTS

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PROPELLANTS

HYDROCARBONS
A-17 (BUTANE)
A-31 (ISOBUTANE)
A-108 (PROPANE)
Blends (A-46, A-70, etc)
Liquid Under Pressure
Integral to the Formulation

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PROPELLANTS

DME (Dimethyl Ether)

152a (1, 1-Difluoroethane)
134a (1, 1, 1, 2-Tetrafluoroethane)

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PROPELLANTS
COMPRESSED GASSES
CO2
N2
N20
Pressure Drops as Unit Empties
A Wet Spray

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PROPELLANTS
Liquefied Compressed
An integral part of the formula. Acts like a piston. Large, wet particles.
Results in smaller, finer particles. (However, there is some solubility with
CO2)

Consistent pressure through life of Drop in pressure through life of can

can
Caution with CO2 + H2O! Carbonic acid
formation.

Large temperature changes effect Temperature changes have little effect on

pressure. pressure. (Good for de-icers, e.g.)

Cost varies Low cost

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VALVE COMPONENTS

Functions & Materials

of Construction

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STEMS

CONTROL THE FLOW

ORIFICE SIZES: 0.010” TO 4 X 0.027 X 0.045”

Orifice

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INJECTION MOLDING
Cavity Runner

Injection Molding Machines Two halves of a mold

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STEMS

 STEM HEIGHT RELATIONSHIPS

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STEMS
Stem height
too high
causing
lifting of the
finger pad

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STEM GASKETS

COVERS THE STEM ORIFICE (The on-off switch)

DIFFERENT MATERIALS AVAILABLE FOR
PRODUCT COMPATABILITY
BUNA N
NEOPRENE
BUTYL
VITON

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STEM GASKETS

Remember: The stem gasket seals the

valve.
Remember: It is made of rubber and will
shrink or swell with different formulations.
Remember: There is no universal stem
gasket.
Testing is recommended (more later on)

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SPRINGS

CAUSES THE VALVE TO CLOSE

STAINLESS STEEL (302, 316)

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HOUSING (BODY)

ENCLOSES THE SPRING AND STEM

ACTS AS A SECONDARY METERING ORIFICE
WIDE RANGE OF ORIFICE SIZES 0.013” TO
0.158”

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HOUSING

Standard Capillary

Jumbo “Inverted”
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HOUSING (BODY)

 VAPOR TAP (A HOLE IN THE

SIDE OR BOTTOM OF THE
HOUSING)
--0.005” TO 0.040”
--PRODUCES A DRIER AND
WARMER SPRAY
--REDUCES PARTICLE SIZE
--NEEDS SUFFICIENT
PROPELLANT TO EVACUATE
--DO NOT USE WITH Vapor Tap
COMPRESSED GAS

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DIP TUBES

DRAW PRODUCT UP INTO THE VALVE

STANDARD: 1/8” (0.122”) INSIDE DIAMETER
LARGE: 3/16” (0.190”) INSIDE DIAMETER
JUMBO: OVER 1/4” (0.260”) INSIDE DIAMETER
CAPILLARY: < 0.060” INSIDE DIAMETER

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DIP TUBES

NOTCHED TO PREVENT CLOSING OFF AT

BOTTOM OF CAN
LENGTH MEASURED FROM TOP OF CUP TO
END OF TUBE (“CSPA” LENGTH)
CSPA RULERS AVAILABLE

Notch Cut CSPA Ruler for DT Length Measurement 36

DIP TUBES

Can use the dip tube

curvature to your
advantage
Orient the dip tube for
your particular
application
Will ensure complete
evacuation

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DIP TUBES
0 degree orientation for downward spray
(starch, furniture polish, etc)

Mark on cup

Dip tube is here

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DIP TUBES

180 Degree orientation for upward spray

(Room fresheners, space sprays, etc.)

Mark on cup

Dip tube is here

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MOUNTING CUPS

HOLD VALVE PARTS TOGETHER

ATTACHES VALVE TO CAN
TINPLATE OR ALUMINUM
EPON COATED OR UNCOATED

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MOUNTING CUPS

GASKET MATERIALS
PROVIDES A SEAL BETWEEN CUP AND CAN
POLYETHYLENE SLEEVE FULLY BONDED TO
MOUNTING CUP
PP LAMINATE (ACTS AS COATING AND SEAL)
CUT GASKET (AKA LATHE CUT GASKET) BUNA,
NEOPRENE OR BUTYL

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MOUNTING CUPS

Polyethylene Sleeve

Polypropylene Laminate Lathe Cut Gasket

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MOUNTING CUPS

Which mounting cup gasket do I need?

SLEEVE and LAMINATE
Sleeve and laminate for general purpose
tinplate cans
Sleeve and laminate for non-milled
aluminum cans less than 50mm in
diameter

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MOUNTING CUPS

CUT GASKET
Cut gasket for any size milled (machined)
aluminum can
Cut gasket for any aluminum cans 50mm
and greater in diameter
Cut gasket can be used with any can and
valve combination…but $$$$$$$$

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CRIMP CONSIDERATIONS

Crimp: The method

by which the valve is
attached to the can
Collets move into the
mounting cup and
spread to a specific
diameter and depth

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CRIMP CONSIDERATIONS

Closed Collet Open Collet

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CRIMP CONSIDERATIONS

Closed collet Open collet in cup

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CRIMP CONSIDERATIONS

Crimp dimensions will depend on:

Mounting cup material
Mounting cup gasket
Type of can
Valve suppliers can give starting point
dimensions

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 CRIMP CONSIDERATIONS

Gauges and setting block are a must!!!

Diameter
Gauge

Depth Gauge

Setting Block 52
ACTUATORS

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ACTUATORS

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ACTUATORS

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ACTUATORS “Non-MBU”

NON-MECHANICAL BREAKUP
A DIRECT FLOW THROUGH THE ACTUATOR
USUALLY RESULTS IN A STREAM

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ACTUATORS “MBU”
MECHANICAL BREAK UP
INCORPORATES A SWIRL CHAMBER
RESULTS IN A DISCERNABLE PATTERN SIZE
AND SHAPE

Swirl Chamber

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ACTUATORS “MBU”
“Shell” Assembled Actuator

Insert with 4 tangential entry channels

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ACTUATORS “MBU”

Detail of a
mechanical
break up
insert

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VALVE TYPES

 VERTICAL VALVE--VERTICAL PRESSURE ON THE

ACTUATOR OPENS THE VALVE.

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VALVE TYPES

 TILT VALVE--FORWARD PRESSURE ON THE

ACTUATOR OPENS THE VALVE.

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VALVE TYPES

 UP/DOWN VALVE--INCORPORATES A SPECIAL

HOUSING FOR UPRIGHT OR INVERTED USE

Upright Inverted
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VALVE TYPES

20mm VALVE

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VALVE TYPES

MALE VALVE
FEMALE VALVE

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VALVE TYPES

METERING VALVE

GASKET

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BARRIER/BAG-IN-CAN
SYSTEMS

BAG IN CAN/BAG On VALVE

PISTON

Product Product

Propellant Propellant

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FILLING METHODS

How are aerosols filled in production?

Cans are “depalletized” and placed on line
Liquid is filled into the cans
Valves are inserted into cans
Propellant is added by
One of three methods:

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FILLING METHODS

 UTC (UNDER-THE-CUP)
 PRESSURE FILLING
 GASSER SHAKER

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FILLING METHODS

UTC (Under the cap/cup) Operation

Pulls a vacuum
Injects propellant into the can
Crimps valve to the can
Used by over 50%

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FILLING METHODS

 UTC (UNDER THE CUP)

Propellant Single Head Under Capper

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FILLING METHODS

Pressure Filling
Can is vacuumed and valve crimped to
can
Propellant fills through and around the
valve
Can be filled actuator on or off (Limited
by actuator size)

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FILLING METHODS

 PRESSURE FILL

Pressure Fill Button Off Single Head Pressure Filler

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FILLING METHODS

Gasser Shaker
Can is vacuumed and valve crimped to
can
Literally “shakes” the propellant into the
can
Not common
Used mostly for compressed gas
propellants (CO2)

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FILLING METHODS

 GASSER SHAKER

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FILLING METHODS

After propellant is added cans are run

through a hot water bath
Internal can pressure must be equal to
what the pressure would be at 130
degrees Fahrenheit
May need to adjust water bath temp and
dwell time to accomplish above

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VALVE SELECTION

CONSIDER EVERYTHING!!
TEST PROGRAM

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VALVE SELECTION

How Many Valve Combinations Are There?

Over 15,000 valve combinations (conservative
estimate) not including gaskets and mounting cups

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VALVE SELECTION
Where Do I Begin?
•Gather as much
information as possible
•Type of Propellant
•Product/Propellant
Ratio
•Production Filling
Method
•Can Size/Material
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VALVE SELECTION

Define The Parameters

•DRT, Pattern, Particle
Size, Flammability
•Which Are Important For
Your Product?
•Prioritize

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VALVE SELECTION
SOME CONSIDERATIONS

 DELIVERY CHARACTERISTICS  WEIGHT LOSS

 DELIVERY RATE  CORROSION
 SPRAY PATTERN  CLOGGING
 PARTICLE SIZE  OFF ODOR
 FLAMMABILITY  APPEARANCE
 LEAKAGE
 LABEL WEIGHT DELIVERY
(EVACUATION)

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VALVE SELECTION

Get Valve Samples (free)

Valve suppliers can offer starting points for
various products
Determine correct stem gasket

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STEM GASKETS

Importance
By choosing the appropriate stem gasket you
will avoid:
High weight loss (loss of propellant and/or
product) which can result in:
• Wet cartons in the warehouse
• Consumer Returns (will consumer buy this again?)
• Litigation?

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STEM GASKETS

How do I select the correct gasket for my

product?
Immersion Test
OK for initial screening
Test in Packed Units
More realistic condition. It includes the
propellant

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STEM GASKETS

Immersion Test
Gaskets in concentrate only, stored at room
temperature.
In Packed Units
Test at room temperature and elevated
temperature (120 f)

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STEM GASKETS

For either test you want to:

Measure the Outer Diameter of the gasket
Measure the Thickness of the gasket
Measure the Durometer (Hardness) of the
gasket if possible. Requires special
equipment

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STEM GASKETS

Record measurements at:

2 weeks
1 month
2 months
Calculate % swell or shrinkage

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STEM GASKETS

Interpretation of Results
Valve gaskets can tolerate up to ~10%
swell (check with the individual valve
suppliers)
AVOID SHRINKAGE AT ALL COSTS!!
Shrinkage compromises the seal
Red Flag if there is a big change in
durometer
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VALVE SELECTION

Initiate Stability (weight loss) testing

Spray Weigh or Dead Storage
Test for 30 days to 6 months at Room Temp
and Oven (120 F)
At end of test check valve parts
Check for valve, container corrosion

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VALVE SELECTION

Speak with your filler (What are their

requirements/limitations?)
How Filled? (Pressure Fill? UTC?)
Button-on (Special Adapters Needed?)
Button-off (Special Tippers Required?)
Hand Tipped (Are Actuators hard to tip?)
Covercaps/Shrink wrap (Any Problems?)

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VALVE SELECTION

Keep an eye out for:

Swelling, cracking of the plastic parts
(actuators, stem, housing, dip tubing)
Coating integrity, pin holing, oxidation,
corrosion of metal parts (mounting cups,
springs)
Impingement using spray thru caps and
accessories
Clogging with high solid products
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VALVE SELECTION

Don’t assume lab samples will equal

production units
Perform a test run on the production line
Reveal equipment issues
Reveals bulk handling issues
Will show line speed
Includes process variations
Evaluate production filled units
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TROUBLESHOOT
U N IT D O E S
DO ES NO T
O PERATE
AS EXPECTE D

N O P R O P E LLA N T C L O G G E D /O R P A R T IA L S P R AY
A N D /O R BU T
NO U N IT H A S
PRODUC T PRESSURE

N O T F IL L E D LEAKAG E IS IS GASKET
A C TU A TO R V A LV E S W E LL
C LO G G E D ? C LO G G E D ?

FO R E IG N N O T R E A LLY
THRU CA N THRU VALVE T H R U C R IM P
P A R T IC L E S CLO G G ED
C L O G G ING BUT A
VALVE V A L V E D E F E CT

P IN H O L E D E FE C TIVE M TG CU P GASKE T V A LVE IN C O R R E C T W RONG D E FE C TIV E

C O R R O S IO N CAN D IM E N S IO NS C U P G AS K E T OR
C O R R O S IO N D E T E R IO R A T IO N IS
FO R D AM AG E D
OPE N
CAN CAN

FO R E IG N V A L VE DAMAGE NO CAN
P A R T IC L ES DEFECT D U R IN G G AS K E T BEAD
D IS R U P T IN G F IL L ING C O M P R E S S ION C O N T AM IN AT IO N
S E AL (C U T G AS K E T )

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CALL US

For Samples:
Clayton Boddie 914-966-4466
For Technical Assistance:
Gioconda LLopis 914-966-4462
Serena Zondorak 914-966-4473
Mike Zerbe 914-966-4457

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THANK YOU

ANY QUESTIONS?

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