If you have ever looked closely at your sprayer nozzles you probably noticed a set of letters and numbers stamped on them. If you are curious like me, then you probably wonder what those numbers mean. The aim of this post is to help you identify your spray nozzle by understanding what the letters and numbers on sprayer nozzles actually mean.
If your nozzles are on a spray boom, they are likely flat fan nozzles. This nozzle type follows a standard numbering system regardless of the nozzle manufacturer. The numbers on a flat fan sprayer nozzle indicate the type of nozzle, the angle of the spray pattern, and the nozzle’s orifice size. Some nozzles will also have letters that indicate the material of construction.
Other types of nozzles like flood tips, adjustable nozzles, boomless nozzles, and tree-spraying nozzles, do not follow a universal numbering system but they will still have a number that indicates the nozzle type and size.
What Do The TeeJet Nozzle Numbers Mean?
TeeJet nozzles are super popular and used in many industries. The numbers you find on a Teejet nozzle use the same ISO standard numbering system as other flat fans nozzles
Flat Fan Sprayer Nozzle Part Numbers: Example and Explanation
Sometimes the sprayer tip part numbers are clearly listed on the nozzle, and sometimes they are harder to see. The numbers may be on the side of the nozzle or the very tip near the nozzle opening.
In the image below there is a sprayer nozzle with the part number:MR110-06. The two letters are the nozzle type, MR (red box in the image below). Then the first three numbers are the spray angle, 110 degrees (blue box in the image below). Followed by the last two numbers that refer to the orifice size of the nozzle, in this case: 06 (green box in image).
Sprayer Nozzle Types
Just like with other pieces of equipment, each spray nozzle manufacturer has its own product names for each type of nozzle they produce. The differences between nozzle types are in the spray pattern, droplet size, material of construction, and more. The letters at the front of the spray nozzle number will indicate the nozzle type.
In the image above you can see an “MR” spray tip made by Wilger. “MR” stands for mid-range reduction. This refers to the level of drift reduction that this nozzle type offers. The MR tip will produce a medium to very coarse droplet size, depending on the orifice size and pressure (more on this later). This style nozzle is a flat fan spray tip made to fit on a sprayer boom.
The difference between different flat fan sprayer nozzles is subtle. Different nozzle types may look a little different but the spray pattern and droplet size they produce is what separates them. You can see in the chart below some examples of flat fan sprayer nozzles. The differences are small but they are intended to meet specific spray needs.
Spray Nozzle Droplet Size
Droplet size is important because it affects spray coverage and the drift a nozzle creates. A smaller droplet may provide better coverage but it is affected by wind and more likely to drift away from your intended target. Coarser droplets may not provide the same surface coverage, but they are prone to less drift.
Droplet sizes are measured in microns, the bigger the number the larger the droplet. Smaller droplets are called fine, very fine, and so on. Large droplets are referred to as coarse, very coarse, etc. Orifice size and pressure can affect droplet size. Nozzle manufacturers will have charts showing the droplet size for a nozzle at different pressures. Generally, as pressure goes up the droplet size becomes finer no matter what kind of spray nozzle it is.
Sprayer Nozzle Angle
Flat fan and cone nozzles come in different spray angles. This is what the first set of numbers on a sprayer nozzle indicates. The most common for ag or turf spraying is 80 and 110 degrees, however, many more angles are available.
Choosing the correct spray angle will be based on the nozzle spacing on your sprayer boom and the height of your boom during operation. 110-degree fans allow your boom to be closer to the ground while still overlapping each nozzle to get good coverage and reduce drift.
Sprayer Nozzle Size
The last set of numbers provides the orifice size. This is the size of the opening in the tip and it directly correlates with the flow rate at 40 psi. This way of numbering nozzle sizes comes from an ISO standard for sprayer nozzles. For an 06-size tip, the flow at 40 psi is 0.6 GPM. The chart below shows the different nozzle sizes that are universal for flat-fan and cone nozzles used on sprayers.
The spray nozzle color code is a universal way to identify the flow capacity of flat-fan sprayer nozzles. It helps you to easily identify what the flow rate of your nozzle is regardless of the manufacturer or nozzle type.
How do I know what Spray Nozzle Size I need?
Every nozzle type will have a chart that the manufacturer provides. The nozzle charts will show the different outputs for each spray nozzle at different PSI as well as the droplet size that is produced at that PSI.
The nozzle size you need will be based on your application rate. To determine the size of the nozzles for your sprayer boom, you will need to know these 4 things:
- Thegallon per acre rate you want to apply (GPA)
- Your preferred operating pressure (PSI)
- The speed you will travel (MPH)
- The spacing between your nozzles (Inches)
You can figure your gallon per minute using this formula:
(Gallons Per AcreXMphXNozzle Spacing)/5940 =GPM Per Nozzle
Once you know the GPM flow rate you need to achieve your desired rate, you can refer to the nozzle chart to identify what size tip you should use.
How to Read a Spray Nozzle Chart
Below is a sprayer nozzle chart from TeeJet. It shows the capacity and droplet sizes produced at a certain pressure for the “Turbo TeeJet” nozzle type. You can see in the far left column the sprayer tip number. Notice the numbers are the same except for the last couple of digits. TT is the code for the nozzle type, 110 is the spray angle of the fan, and the last couple digits refer to the nozzle’s capacity.
Let’s walk through an example of how to figure your GPM and use the nozzle chart.
Example: An ATV sprayer boom with 3 nozzles spaced 20 inches apart. You desire to travel 5 MPH and the rate you need to apply is 15 GPA. So you would take 15 (rate) x 5 (speed) x 20 (spacing), then divide the total by 5940. Your total GPM needed per nozzle comes out to just over 0.25 GPM.
Now you need to refer to the nozzle rate chart to find a tip that puts out .25 GPM at the appropriate pressure you want to spray at. In the chart above you can see the GPM capacity if shown in the column marked with the green arrow. In that column, you would look for 0.25. In this scenario, you can see that the purple-colored tip, number TT110025, will produce 0.25 GPM at 40 PSI. The chart also shows that it will produce a medium-sized droplet.
This tip is not our only option though. The TT11003 (blue) tip would also work. While we don’t have 0.25 GPM exactly, we do see 0.26 at 30 PSI. So at roughly 28 PSI this tip would flow about 0.25 and create a coarse droplet size. If you wanted to operate at a lower PSI and have less worry about drift, the TT11003 would actually be the nozzle you want to choose.
Non-Flat Fan Sprayer Numbers
When it comes to most other types of sprayer nozzles, spot sprayer nozzles, boomless nozzles, etc., there is not a universal numbering system. However, the numbers will still provide us with some information about nozzle type and capacity.
Most nozzles have a number on them. This number usually correlates to the nozzle’s capacity. Just like with flat-fan nozzles, there will be a chart provided by the manufacturer, this will provide the flow rate/capacity info.
As with flat fan nozzles, some of the numbers can be hard to find. Usually, they will have a number that tells you the nozzle size located somewhere on the tip.
Boomless nozzles have a wide range of sizes and spray patterns, but since they are meant to be used on their own or as a pair, their nozzle charts don’t require you to do as much calculation to find your GPM. In this post, you can read more aboutselecting a boomless sprayer nozzle.
Why The Numbers On Your Spray Nozzle Matter
Sprayer nozzles are made to perform a specific way. If you don’t have the right nozzle your entire sprayer can be rendered ineffective. Knowing what the numbers on your sprayer nozzle mean will help you identify the right nozzles for your spraying task.
FAQs
Spray Nozzles: What Do The Numbers Mean? | Sprayer Guru? ›
The first numbers are the spray angle followed by a dash, and then the discharge rate at rated pressure. For example, an LF 80-5R is an extended range nozzle with an 80 degree spray angle that will apply 0.5 GPM at the rated pressure of 40 psi.
What is the difference between 80 degree and 110 degree spray nozzles? ›A nozzle with an 80-degree discharge angle produces a larger spray droplet than a 110-degree angle nozzle at the same flow rate and pressure. Spray quality is fine- to medium-size droplets for small nozzles.
How do you read a spray nozzle chart? ›On a standard nozzle chart, the top column that runs left to right is the pressure that you want to obtain. The left column top to bottom is the nozzle orifice size designation. The top to bottom column next to the orifice size column indicates the actual orifice measurement.
What do the colors mean on spray nozzles? ›The different colors of the tips indicate the angle of the spray fan pattern that will come out when you turn on your pressure washer. When your water and detergent mixture moves through the gun or lance, it fills the space.
How do I choose a spray nozzle tip? ›The best method for choosing the correct nozzle tip size is to determine the gallons per minute (GPM) of nozzle output required and then select a nozzle tip size that, when operated within the recommended pressure range, will provide this flow rate.
What is a 40 degree nozzle used for? ›The 40° White pressure washer nozzle gives you the widest spray pattern. Use this tip for spraying and hosing down the car, washing windows, and anywhere you want to rinse something off. If a surface is delicate, this nozzle lets you apply a wider spray with less pressure so you don't damage it.
How much PSI is a 40 degree nozzle? ›The 40-degree spray tip is compatible with gas and electric pressure washers from 1600-4500 PSI and is a great replacement for OEM spray tips.
What does nozzle size mean? ›The orifice size of the nozzle determines the operating pressure of your machine. As a rule of thumb, the smaller the orifice, the greater the restriction of water flowing through the machine. This causes the pressure to increase. Choosing a nozzle with too large of an orifice will reduce operating pressure.
What PSI should I be spraying at? ›What is the best air pressure for spray painting? Again, it's essential you check your specific model's recommendations, but your HVLP spray gun PSI will likely sit between 25-30 PSI for something like using an air compressor for spraying cars, rising to 40 PSI in some cases where higher atomisation is needed.
What is the most common nozzle size used? ›- 0.25 mm nozzle. The most common nozzle with a narrower aperture than the standard 0.4 mm is the 0.25 mm nozzle (though 0.3 mm and 0.2 mm nozzles can also be found). ...
- 0.4 mm nozzle. ...
- 0.6 mm nozzle. ...
- 0.8 mm nozzle.
What is a 311 spray tip used for? ›
6 inch spray pattern ideal for narrow surfaces such as fences, decks and furniture. The . 011 inch hole size optimal for spraying thinner materials like semi transparent stains, water sealers, stains or polyurethanes.
What do the numbers mean on sprinkler nozzles? ›These numbers refer to the flow rate in US gallons at the rated pressure of 40 PSI (approx. 3 BAR). For example, an 02 Nozzle is rated at 0.2 US gallons per hour at a pressure of 40 PSI.
What spray gun tip size chart? ›| Material Type | Tip Size | Material Thickness |
|---|---|---|
| Primer Oils | 017 – 019 | Medium |
| Elastomerics, smooth only | 021 – 025 | Heavy |
| Heavy Latex | 021 – 025 | Heavy |
| Elastomerics | 025 – 039 | Very heavy |
There are 5 basic spray pattern types: flat fan, solid stream, full cone, hollow cone and mist/fog.
What is a 0 degree nozzle used for? ›Red Nozzle (0 Degrees)
This nozzle can remove stains from concrete or metal. Do not use this nozzle on wood or siding, as the powerful stream will damage a soft surface.
Nozzles give rocket engines their power by increasing velocity of the airflow to supersonic speeds. In the book Rocket Propulsion Elements by George P Sutton, a converging angle of 60 degrees and diverging angle of 15 degrees is considered optimal.
Which nozzles is mostly used for low pressure? ›Floodjet nozzles
Floodjet spray nozzles give an ellipse way of spraying and are used with low pressure spraying. They have a wide angle of 160° and are suitable for big spraying volumes.
White nozzles have a spray pattern of 40 degrees. This wide, low-pressure spray pattern is ideal for cleaning sensitive surfaces like siding, decks and windows. It's also great for cleaning large areas such as driveways and pools in a short amount of time.
What is the standard nozzle spray angle? ›The most common spray angles are 65, 73, 80, and 110 degrees. Recommended nozzle heights for flat-fan nozzles during broadcast application are given in Table 1.
How does nozzle size affect pressure? ›The orifice size of the nozzle determines the operating pressure of your machine. As a rule of thumb, the smaller the orifice, the greater the restriction of water flowing through the machine. This causes the pressure to increase.
Are smaller nozzles better? ›
The nozzle diameter affects the overall level of detail almost exclusively in the horizontal plane (parallel to the print surface). What does this mean? With a smaller nozzle, you will be able to print a more detailed text – assuming it's placed on the top side of the printed object.
How do you calculate nozzle pressure? ›K = flow/√NP
In this equation, NP stands for nozzle pressure. Let's work through an example with a 150 at 50 nozzle. Now, you can take the K-value of 21.21 and multiply it by the square root of 75 (representing a nozzle pressure of 75). 21.21 * 8.66 = 184 GPM.
Generally speaking, a larger nozzle experiencing higher pressure has a higher flow capacity of liquid or gaseous fluid than a smaller nozzle. However, the design of the nozzle also has an impact on the flow capacity at a certain pressure. Additionally, the design has a great impact of the shape of the spray.
Which is better high pressure or low pressure spray gun? ›HVLP guns use more CFM and will require users to size their air compressor accordingly. On the other hand, LVLP atomizes better, sprays faster and lays down a better finish while using less CFM but high air pressure.
What psi should I run my HVLP spray gun? ›HVLP, or High-Volume/Low Pressure, uses a high volume of air (typically between 15-26 CFM) delivered at low pressure (10 PSI or less at the air cap) to atomize paint into a soft, low-velocity pattern of particles. In most cases, less than 10 psi is needed in order to atomize.
What is the ideal spraying speed? ›In terms of miles per hour, the most common application speed ranges between 10-16 mph for self-propelled sprayers. Any faster and a grower risks not achieving uniform coverage, or creating spray drift.
What are the 5 types of nozzles? ›- Flat Fan Nozzles.
- Hollow Cone Nozzles.
- Full Cone Nozzles.
- Solid Stream Nozzles.
By definition, a perfect nozzle expands a throat flow such that a uniform axial flow is produced of prescribed Mach num- ber or area ratio. For a given fuel and mass flow, a set of perfect nozzle contours is computed for various exit conditions.
What are the three nozzle types? ›Therefore, a nozzle is a device designed to increase the velocity of steam. Steam nozzles are of three types, namely convergent nozzle, divergent nozzle, and convergent–divergent nozzle.
What is a 211 spray tip good for? ›The 211 spray tip is used to work with light lacquers and spray more accurately. For example, to paint beams and window frames. To paint larger surfaces, such as ceilings or tables, it would be more appropriate to use a 411 spray tip with lacquers or paints / interior materials.
What is a 421 spray tip used for? ›
The Reverse-A-Clean (RAC) 421 RAC 5 SwitchTip produces an 8 to 10 inch fan and has a 0.021 inch orifice. Reverse the SwitchTip to easily clear clogs. Used for residential, commerical or industrial applicaitions. Best used with materials ranging from lacquers, latex paints and mastics.
What is a 419 spray tip used for? ›Used for parking lots, roads, warehouse floors, crosswalks and athletic fields. Best used with materials ranging from heavy waterbase to thin alkyd traffic paints.
Do you spray trim or walls first? ›Do you paint walls or trim first? From a professional point of view, with interior painting, it makes the most sense to paint your trim first, then ceilings, and then your walls. It's much easier and faster to tape off trim than to tape off your walls. And you definitely don't want the hassle of taping them both.
What is the recommended spray gun angle? ›120-degree heads allow for the shoulders to be sprayed face-on, ensuring the coating is applied properly.
What is 80 degree nozzle spacing? ›The recommendation is to use 80-degree nozzles in 20-inch or narrower spacing, and to use 100-degree nozzles with 30-inch nozzle spacing. Many new nozzles are only available in 110 degrees.
What is a 15 degree nozzle used for? ›Yellow Nozzle (15 Degrees)
This nozzle does a great job of removing dirt, mold, mildew, or paint. It is safe to use on most surfaces, including siding.
Heavy-bodied primers and primer surfacers work best when you use a nozzle size of 1.7 to 2.2. Basecoats should be sprayed with a 1.4 to 1.6 nozzle. Clearcoats should be sprayed with a 1.3 to 1.7 nozzle. Sealers and single-stage urethanes should be sprayed with 1.4 to 1.6 nozzles.
What size spray tip for thick paint? ›| Laquer or Stain | .009 - .013 |
|---|---|
| Oil Based Paint | .013 - .015 |
| Latex Paint | .015 - .019 |
| Heavy Latex or Smooth Elastomeric | .021 - .025 |
| Elastomeric & Blockfiller | .025 - .035 + |
If it flows freely through the funnel, you know the paint is thinned enough. If the paint is too thick, add an additional ⅛ cup of water (30 milliliters) per gallon (3.8 liters) of water and mix.
What is the most efficient nozzle shape? ›In general both properly engineered cone-shaped nozzles and bullet shaped nozzles are effective when the flow produced is laminar and are dramatically more energy efficient than non-engineered nozzles, with lower noise levels and can work at a much greater distance.
What does cutting nozzle 1 32 mean? ›
1/32 = 0.8mm for cutting 3-6mm. 3/64 = 1.2mm for cutting 5-12mm. 1/16 = 1.6mm for cutting 10-75mm. 5/64 = 2.0mm for cutting 70-100mm.
What is the best height for a spray boom? ›“Ideally, for 110-degree spray angles, your boom height above the target should equal your nozzle spacing. So, if your nozzles are 20 inches apart, your boom should be approximately 20 inches above the target.
What is the common nozzle size? ›The most common nozzle with a narrower aperture than the standard 0.4 mm is the 0.25 mm nozzle (though 0.3 mm and 0.2 mm nozzles can also be found).
What size nozzle for layer height? ›Layer height should not exceed 80 % of the nozzle diameter.
If you are using the standard 0.4mm nozzle, the maximal layer height is about 0.32 mm. However, with a 0.6mm nozzle, it's possible to achieve up to a 0.48 mm layer height. Apart from these limitations, the two parameters are independent of each other.