FEATURE

By Kevin Brownsill, Head of Learning and Development, Intertronics, Kidlington, England

Learn the key features to identify the static mixing nozzle for dispensing and mixing of two-part adhesives and potting compounds.

Static mixing nozzles are vital for dispensing and are used for mixing or blending of two-part adhesives, potting compounds, and other protective materials, where products are packaged in cartridges or used in metering and mixing equipment. But how do you identify which one you have so you can order more? Kevin Brownsill, head of Learning and Development for adhesives and dispensing specialist Intertronics, explains the key features in the company’s latest Technical Bulletin.

Design Features

A static mixing nozzle has several key design features and characteristics. These include the mixer's element shape and style, mix ratio, inner diameter, the number of elements, connection interface, and nozzle termination.

The first aspect is the shape of the element section. Static mixers are typically round (helical) or square (Quadro). Element sections are usually white, yellow, or blue if they are round, and green if they are square. This is typically the case for 1:1 and 2:1 mix ratio. However, this can deviate when nozzles are designed for wider ratios such as 4:1 and 10:1, where they often have elements or features that are orange instead. The ratio will depend on the material you are using.

As well as style and ratio, the inner diameter and the number of elements contained can be identified from the elements section. The inner diameter for round nozzles, or width for square nozzles, is typically measured in millimeters and rounded to the next whole number. Typically in multiples of four, elements can be determined simply by counting.

The Interface

Another distinguishing design feature is the interface between the metering and mixing equipment or dispensing cartridge, and the nozzle. Intertronics supplies medmix MIXPAC™ nozzles, which have a number of designs to cater for different sizes and design of cartridge and equipment.

Categorized into "systems" based on size, design, and application, its unique B-System and F-System cartridges and mixers are molded to keep the two material parts separate further into the mixer to help avoid cross-contamination. These systems have an interlocking mechanism, whereas the A-System uses a bayonet, and the C-System uses a retaining threaded nut, emulated by the molded-thread "G" type nozzles.

The Tip

The opposite end of the static mixing nozzle is the tip, which is the dispensing end of the mixer. The tip can have different termination designs. Nozzles can have a variety of tip types to accommodate flow rates, attachments, or other requirements. They are available in several designs to help with high flow, attachment of a blunt Luer lock dispensing tip, or other specialty ends including spreaders.

Mixing nozzles can have key information molded into them. This could include the brand, diameter, and number of elements. These marks help you to have the necessary information to identify the static mixing nozzle.