1. Core Classification Dimensions of Aerosol Valves
There are many types of aerosol valves, which are mainly classified on the basis of their mode of use, spraying method, basic structure and installation dimensions:
(1) Classification by mode of use (core use position)
Upright Valve:
The tank needs to be kept in an upright position for use, and the spray is triggered by pressing the actuator (nozzle) at the top either vertically downwards or at a slight angle. It is the most common and widely used valve type.
Inverted Valve:
Designed for use in inverted (can opening down) scenarios. The mounting cup is fixed, the actuator can be pushed backwards to trigger, and the suction tube is located at the top of the valve body to ensure efficient extraction of the contents when inverted.
360° Valve (All Position / 360-Degree Valve)
Revolutionary design that allows the can to be sprayed at any angle (upright, inverted, sideways), greatly enhancing ease of use and flexibility. The special internal structure (e.g. steel balls or weights) ensures that the suction tube is always immersed in the liquid phase.
(2) Classification by spraying method (release control)
Metering Valve / Metered Dose Valve:
Releases a pre-set, highly accurate fixed dose with each press. Accuracy is determined by valve volume and design. Ensures safe dosing, consistent flavor concentration or cost control.
Continuous Spray Valve:
Continuous pressure on the actuator results in continuous spraying until released or until tank pressure is depleted. Provides continuous spray coverage.
Full Discharge Valve:
Releases most or all of the contents of the tank at once in a single operation, usually by pulling up or forcefully pressing on a specific device. Commonly used for first aid, emergency treatment, or single-use applications.
(3) Classification by basic structure (stem-actuator interface)
Male Valve：
Characteristics: The stem (usually metal) protrudes above the mounting cup, and the actuator (nozzle), which has a matching hole inside, is fitted directly onto the stem. The structure is relatively simple and versatile.
Female Valve:
Characteristics: Stem partially embedded or built into the mounting cup/body, actuator (nozzle) has a matching raised insert that is inserted into the body to trigger the valve. More compact, provides better protection and reduces accidental triggering and leakage.
(4) Classified by sealing cup (mounting cup) size (for can mouth)
1-inch Valve: about 25.4mm, is the most mainstream standard size in the European and American market, suitable for most standard aerosol cans.
20mm Valve: Approx. 20mm, also a standard size widely used worldwide.
Special sizes:
13mm Valve: smaller size, mainly used to fit smaller aerosol cans or customized cans that require special design to save space or reduce cost.
2. Detailed analysis of various types of aerosol valves and application scenarios
An in-depth understanding of the core features of each type of valve, its unique advantages and its most compatible application areas is the key to successful selection:
(1) Upright Valves (Upright Valves)
Proven and reliable construction, with the stem and mounting cup fixed to the tank, and the spray triggered by pressing the actuator on the top vertically or at a small angle of inclination. It is stable and cost-effective.
Typical application scenarios:
Home cleaning and care: air freshener, glass cleaner, furniture conditioner, multi-surface cleaner.
Insecticides and repellents: Household insecticidal sprays (flying insects, crawling insects), mosquito repellent/flower water.
Car Care Products: Interior Cleaner, Dashboard Polish, Tire Shine, Glass Anti-fog.
Personal Care Products: Hair Styling Spray (Hairspray), Sunscreen Spray, Antiperspirant Spray (some), Body Spray.
(2) Inverted Valves
The mounting cup is secured to the mouth of the can, and the actuator is designed to be triggered by being pushed upward “backwards” when the can is inverted. The suction tube is attached to the top of the valve to ensure that the contents of the bottom (which becomes the top when inverted) of the tank can be effectively extracted when inverted. This solves the pain point of inverted spraying, which is not possible with upright valves.
Typical application scenarios:
Foaming products: shaving mousse, hair styling mousse, foaming facial cleanser, foaming hand soap.
Ground/Low Level Spray: Temporary road marking paints, line marking paints.
Deep Cleaning: Carpet Cleaning Shampoo (foam or liquid), Mite Removal Spray (to be sprayed on mattresses, sofa bottoms), Crevice Cleaner.
(3) 360°All Position Valves
Breakthrough design allows for proper spraying regardless of whether the tank is upright, inverted, horizontal, or at any angle of inclination. This provides ease of use and flexibility without the need to adjust the angle of the tank. There are two main implementation mechanisms:
Ball Type: Seals the suction tube opening with an internal free-moving heavy ball (steel ball) that moves with gravity to cover the liquid phase inlet at all times. Suitable for LPG, DME and other liquefied petroleum gas injection agents.
Hammer Type: The end of the suction tube is positioned by means of an internal “hammer-like” part and is always immersed in the liquid phase by gravity. It is more suitable for high pressure gases such as compressed air (e.g. nitrogen N2, carbon dioxide CO2) or for special formulations.
Typical application scenarios:
Multi-Angle Cleaning: Automotive engine compartment cleaners, wheel cleaners, industrial equipment cleaners (need to penetrate deep into crevices), household multi-purpose cleaners.
Compressed gas injection products: Carbon dioxide fire extinguishers, some food aerosols (e.g. whipped cream).
Convenient Spraying Needs: Lubricants/Rust Removers (WD-40 type), Horticultural Insecticides/Herbicides, Hard to Reach Area Maintenance Products.
(4) Powder Valves
CORE FEATURES: Groundbreaking design allows spraying regardless of whether the canister is upright, inverted, horizontal, or at any angle of inclination. This provides ease of use and flexibility without the need to adjust the angle of the tank.
There are two main mechanisms:
Ball Type: relies on an internal free-moving ball to seal the suction tube opening and move with gravity, always covering the liquid phase inlet. Suitable for LPG, DME and other liquefied petroleum gas injection agents.
Hammer Type: The end of the suction tube is positioned by means of an internal “hammer-like” part and is always immersed in the liquid phase by gravity. It is more suitable for high pressure gases such as compressed air (e.g. nitrogen N2, carbon dioxide CO2) or for special formulations.
Typical application scenarios:
Multi-Angle Cleaning: Automotive engine compartment cleaners, wheel cleaners, industrial equipment cleaners (need to penetrate deep into crevices), household multi-purpose cleaners.
Compressed gas injection products: Carbon dioxide fire extinguishers, some food aerosols (e.g. whipped cream).
Convenient Spraying Needs: Lubricants/Rust Removers (WD-40 type), Horticultural Insecticides/Herbicides, Hard to Reach Area Maintenance Products.
(5) Tilt Action Valves
This is a special design variant of the upright valve. The actuator (nozzle) is designed to be pressed at an angle (usually 45° or less) to the vertical. This allows the user to hold the can horizontally and press down on the nozzle at a more natural and comfortable angle with their fingers, whilst the direction of spray remains close to vertical, ideal for spraying horizontal surfaces.
Typical application scenarios:
Clothes Care: Ironing Spray for Clothes (spray horizontally on the surface of the clothes before ironing), Wrinkle Reducing Spray.
Cleaning pre-treatments: Pre-wash stain remover (spray horizontally on stubborn stains and leave to set), topical stain remover for carpets.
Other Horizontal Surface Treatments: Pre-treatments for certain surface coatings.
(6) High Viscosity Valves
Designed for viscous, pasty or foamy materials that are difficult to flow (e.g., polyurethane foam, silicone, caulk, cream, etc.). Key design features include:
Monobloc Stem: Reduces internal flow resistance points.
Large-diameter valve cavity and flow path: Provides wider flow passages.
Optimized seal and spring design: Adapts to high viscosity material characteristics to ensure reliable sealing and resetting.
Typical application scenarios:
Building & Maintenance: Expanded polyurethane foam (caulking, insulation), silicone sealants, caulking.
Food Industry: Spray cream/milk caps, cheese sauce sprays, cake decorating icing/mounting agents.
Industrial bonding and sealing: high viscosity grease, adhesives.
(7) Metered Dose Valves (MDVs)
Ensure that a highly accurate and constant dose of medication is released with each pressing action by means of a sophisticated mechanical design (specific volume valve chamber, special stem or seat construction). Critical to the safety and efficacy of drug delivery. Often requires stringent regulatory approvals (e.g. FDA).
Typical application scenarios:
Respiratory: Asthma inhalers (salbutamol, etc.), Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) medications, Rhinitis sprays (some).
Topical delivery: Oral/throat sprays, topical skin sprays (precise dosage required).
Precision Release Requirements: High-end air fresheners (to control fragrance concentration), aromatherapy sprays (essential oil dilutions for quantitative release), precision cleaners (micro-dosing for specific areas).
(8) Bag-On-Valve (BOV)
Blast Agent Isolation: Use of compressed inert gas (e.g., nitrogen N2, compressed air) as the blast agent, located outside the elastic bag between the canister and the contents.
Contents Protection: The contents (liquid, paste or even solid particles) are completely sealed in a separate composite pouch, isolated from the metal interior of the tank and the projectile.
Core Benefits:
Ultimate Purity and Safety: Avoids reaction between contents and metal cans (corrosion, oxidation, metal ion contamination), no solvent contamination, no risk of flammable and explosive projectiles, no CFC/HFC.
Contents Protection: Isolation from oxygen and moisture, maintains stability, activity, aroma, color and purity of contents, extends shelf life.
Environmentally Friendly: Zero or very low VOC's with inert gases; canister materials (usually aluminum) are easily recycled.
Efficient: Almost 100% emptying rate (no residual waste), 360° use at any angle (no straws in the bag).
Aseptic filling: particularly suitable for medical, food and high-end cosmetics.
Typical application scenarios:
Medical & Pharmaceutical: Topical disinfectant sprays, wound care sprays, nasal rinses (physiological seawater), oral care sprays, inhalation preparations (some).
Food & Beverage: Cooking oil sprays, cooking sprays, sauces, whipped cream/milk caps.
High-end Cosmetics & Personal Care: Highly active essence sprays, sunscreen sprays, products for sensitive skin, products with high sterility requirements.
Industrial & Professional: Precision electronic cleaners, mold release agents (to avoid silicone contamination), special lubricants, water-based fire extinguishers. 9.
(9) Internally Threaded Valves (Internally Threaded Valves)
The stem and actuator (nozzle) are of a split design, with the actuator screwed onto the male threads at the top of the stem by means of an internal thread. The biggest advantage of this design is that the actuator is removable.
Core Benefits and Application Scenarios:
Washable/Anti-Clogging: For high viscosity materials that tend to dry out and clump or contain particles (e.g., spray adhesives, paints, viscous sealants), clogging usually occurs at the actuator orifice. The female thread design allows the user to easily unscrew the actuator for cleaning or unclogging, which significantly solves the clogging problem and extends the service life of the valve.
Adaptation to special spray nozzles: It is easy to change the actuator for different spray patterns (fan, mist, foam, direct stream) to meet the diverse spraying needs (e.g., fan nozzles for paint spraying).
Typical applications: Powerful adhesive spraying (woodworking, crafts), automotive refinishing paints/primers, industrial adhesives, high viscosity sealants, industrial or DIY products requiring specific spray patterns.
3. Aerosol Valve Selection Key Considerations Summary
Selecting the most suitable aerosol valve is never easy and requires a systematic evaluation of the following key factors:
The physical form of the product: Is it a liquid, solution, emulsion, suspension, powder, viscous paste or foam? This directly determines the type of valve (e.g. powder valve, high viscosity valve).
Type of ejectant: Is it a liquefied gas (LPG, DME), compressed gas (N2, CO2, air) or a BOV system? This affects valve seal design, material compatibility and suitability for 360° valves or specific types.
RELEASE CONTROL: Need precise metering (MDV), continuous spray or full release?
Attitude of use: Must be upright (upright valve), must be inverted (inverted valve), or do you need full angle flexibility (360° valve)?
Spray Characteristics: Do you need mist, jet, foam or powder? This is mainly determined by the actuator, but is also influenced by the valve flow rate.
Chemical properties of the contents: acidity, alkalinity, corrosiveness, type of solvent? This determines the choice of valve internal sealing materials (e.g. butyl rubber, EPDM, Viton) and metal parts (e.g. stainless steel stem) to ensure compatibility and long-term sealing.
Filling process: Cold or pressure filling? Different requirements for valve sealing cup strength and tightness.
Regulatory and safety requirements: food grade, pharmaceutical grade, certified for transportation of flammables? This has a direct impact on valve material selection and design criteria (e.g. BOV advantages in food and pharmaceuticals).
Cost & Supply Chain: Consider valve cost, minimum order quantity (MOQ) and supplier reliability while meeting performance requirements.
Branding & Customization: Is there a need for a standardized product from a well-known brand or a highly customized valve solution to meet unique needs?
Conclusion: Accurate selection drives product success
Aerosol valves, though small, are the core components that determine the performance, safety, user experience and market competitiveness of aerosol products. An in-depth understanding of the working principle, structural characteristics and best application areas of each type of aerosol valve is the basis for scientific and efficient selection. From the ubiquitous upright valve to solve the problem of inverted spray inverted valve, from the flexibility of the 360 ° valve to ensure the accurate delivery of metering valve, to the ultimate purity and safety of the bagged valve (BOV), each type of valve serves a specific product needs and scenarios.
In actual selection, it is important to consider multiple dimensions such as product form, dispensing agent, functional requirements, chemical compatibility, regulations and cost. Choosing the right valve not only ensures that your product works efficiently and safely as intended, but also significantly improves end-user satisfaction and brand loyalty, ultimately giving your aerosol product an edge in a competitive marketplace.
