The process of breaking a liquid into fine droplets for spray application.

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Atomization is the process of breaking a liquid into fine droplets for spray application. In spray guns, paint is forced through a small nozzle while a stream of compressed air shears the liquid into a fine mist. This creates a smooth, even coating on the surface. Combustion is burning, vaporization is turning a liquid into vapor, and filtration is removing particles—none of these describe forming the fine droplets used in spray finishing. The droplet size you get depends on factors like nozzle size, fluid pressure, air pressure, paint viscosity, and how far the gun is held from the surface, all of which control the quality and distribution of the spray.