What are the main valve types used in aerosol cans?
There are two primary valve systems: female valves and male valves. Female valves are the most common for spray paints and coatings. They sit inside the mounting cup and are triggered by a separate actuator. Male valves have the stem protruding through the mounting cup and the actuator snaps directly onto it. Male valves are often used for products with higher viscosity or when a specific actuator design is needed. The choice affects spray pattern, flow rate, and overall product performance.
How does the actuator affect spray performance?
The actuator is the part the user presses. It determines the spray pattern — from a fine mist to a narrow stream or foam. For spray paints, a finger-tip actuator with a built-in directional nozzle is standard. For industrial lubricants, a precision actuator with a straw attachment may be preferred. For products like carb cleaners, a specialized actuator with a high-flow design is used. OEM buyers should specify the desired spray pattern early in development so the correct actuator can be selected.
What dip tube length and material should I choose?
The dip tube extends from the valve to the bottom of the can. Standard dip tubes are made of polypropylene (PP) or polyethylene (PE). For 360-degree spraying (inverted use), a bag-on-valve (BOV) system or a special dip tube with a weighted end is required. Tube length must match can height precisely — too short wastes product, too long causes clogging. For aggressive solvents, a nylon or PTFE dip tube may be needed to prevent swelling.
What is the bag-on-valve (BOV) system and when should I use it?
Bag-on-valve (BOV) separates the product from the propellant using a sealed bag inside the can. The propellant surrounds the bag and applies even pressure, dispensing the product without contamination. BOV is ideal for food-grade products, pharmaceutical sprays, and any application where propellant contact with the product is undesirable. It also enables 360-degree spraying and near-complete evacuation (98%+ usage rate). The trade-off is higher cost per unit compared to standard valve systems.
How do I specify the correct valve for my aerosol product?
Start by defining your product's viscosity, spray pattern requirement, and target container size. Share these specifications with your OEM manufacturer. At Huotian, we maintain a valve selection matrix covering over 30 valve/actuator combinations. For a typical spray paint, we recommend a standard female valve with a 0.5mm stem orifice and a fan-spray actuator. For high-viscosity products like undercoating, a larger 1.0mm orifice valve is used. We recommend requesting valve samples during the development phase to test actual spray performance.