AEROSOL SAFETY AND PERFORMANCE

Testing of aerosol dispensers

Container safety and spray quality

Aerosol safety depends on the behaviour of the pressurised container, the flammability of the product and the way it is dispensed.

LEREM designs the test programme around your aerosol dispenser, its formulation and the purpose of the study. The same equipment can support product development, compare several solutions or provide the results required before market launch.

Defining the right programme

Three aspects to assess on the same dispenser

Tests are selected according to the type of aerosol and the decision you need to make. LEREM’s team helps you focus on the measurements that are genuinely useful.

Behaviour in fire

Assess the spray, foam or gel and determine the appropriate flammability classification.

Container resistance

Observe deformation, pressure resistance and behaviour through to bursting.

Spray performance

Characterise particle size, spray pattern and spray angle.

Technicien du LEREM réalisant un essai d’inflammabilité sur un aérosol

Flammability

Assess the product as it is used

The method depends on how the product is delivered from the dispenser. LEREM carries out tests on aerosol sprays as well as products dispensed as foam or gel.

The results are used to determine the applicable classification and provide the information required for labelling.

Spray ignition distance

Enclosed-space ignition test

Flammability of foams and gels

Mechanical resistance

Measure the safety margin under pressure

Mechanical tests verify container resistance and monitor its behaviour through to bursting. They can be carried out on empty containers or on dispensers fitted with their valve.

The test setup is adapted to the material and format under study, particularly for certain glass or plastic containers.

Proof pressure and deformation monitoring

Burst pressure determination

Internal pressure measurement at 50°C

Banc d’essai de résistance à la pression des aérosols

Mesure granulométrique d’un spray aérosol au LEREM

Dispensing performance

Characterise the resulting spray

Spray quality can be as important as container compliance. Measurements are selected according to the formulation and intended use.

Particle size analysisParticle size distribution measured by laser diffraction.

Spray patternObservation of spray geometry and distribution.

Spray angleComparison of formulations, valves, actuators or batches.

Completing the study

Facilities suited to development work and special formats

Some studies require sample preparation or a protocol tailored to the container material.

Prepare small batches

LEREM can fill the dispensers required for testing without using an industrial production line. Feasibility is assessed according to the product, propellant and quantities required.

Liquefied gases: butane, propane, DME or HFO 1234ze depending on the project
Compressed gases: including nitrogen or CO₂

Study plastic aerosols

The protocol takes account of the material and conditions of use. It may include cold or hot drop tests with the product or test liquids, as well as hot-air testing.