How does a spray(spray cans, disinfectant sprays etc.) work?
In: Engineering
The product, be it paint or disinfectant, is suspended (chemistry level of suspension, mixed in with but not dissolved) with a bunch of other chemicals called aerosols. Aerosols, like butane, are in gas form at standard room temperature and pressure. They’re put under pressure so that the aerosol is compressed into a liquid form and then put into a spray can.
Now these aerosols and product are mixed together in a can under pressure and pressure wants to equalize. When you hit the spray nozzle, this pressure starts to escape taking with it the aerosol and that carries some of the product along with it. The aerosol evaporates into the air because that’s it’s natural state. The product is still in liquid form of tiny droplets, carried out by the aerosol, which then lands on the surface you’re targeting.
This is one of the reasons you must shake these cans prior to use so the product and the aerosols mix together to get a more consistent spray pattern.
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