Aerosol Products

Aerosol is a type of gaseous suspension system which creates a gaseous mist of liquid molecules. This dispenser changes the ingredient inside the container into an aerosol where liquid molecules widely and evenly dispersed throughout a gas.

Aerosol is filled in a can which contain propellant and specific solvent under pressure. The mixture is enforced out from container through a small opening present at the top which is under higher pressure, when the container’s valve is opened. As a result of higher pressure inside the can and sudden pressure release, a aerosol mist is formed.

Compressed Gas Aerosol Can Propellant

Some aerosol cans use a compressed gas like nitrogen or carbon dioxide as their propellant. The advantage of compressed gas as an aerosol can propellant is that it’s very cheap, and it isn’t flammable, though other products within the aerosol can be. The disadvantage of compressed gas as an aerosol can propellant is that the pressure within the can will decrease over the life of the can. As the product within the can is used, the pressure within the can decreases, and the can will have less dispersing power because of it. Currently, only about 10% of aerosol cans use compressed gas as the propellant. Most use a form of liquid gas, which is explained below.

Liquid Gas Aerosol Can Propellant

The most common form of aerosol can propellant is a liquefied gas like butane, isobutane, or propane. The gas is turned into liquid by pressurizing it within the can. The advantage of this system is that it provides constant pressure levels throughout the life of the can. As the product is dispersed and space in the can becomes available, the liquid gas vaporizes and fills the newly available space, allowing the can to maintain the consistent internal pressure. The disadvantage of this system is that liquid gas propellants are flammable, which increases the danger associated with their use and storage. Even so, this is still the most common form of aerosol can propellant.

Chlorofluorocarbon Aerosol Can Propellants

Chlorofluorocarbons were used for a time as an aerosol can propellant. They provided the advantages of both liquid gas and compressed gas aerosol cans, meaning that they provided constant pressure throughout the life of the can and weren’t flammable. However, it was found that they were damaging the ozone layer, and their use in aerosol cans was discontinued in the United States in the late 1970s. In 1987, 191 countries signed an international agreement to phase out ozone-depleting substances like chlorofluorocarbons. Aerosol cans that utilize chlorofluorocarbons as a propellant are no longer allowed in the United States and many other countries.