Originally Posted by
jemoryl
There is a lot of false information being thrown around here.
The reason why CO2 is used in a cartridge is simple: when compressed to a certain pressure at room temperature it condenses into a liquid - this is what is present inside your little cylinder.
Finally!
Jeez people, ideal gas laws don't apply to phase changes. CO2 (and propane) is liquid in those canisters - compressed air or N2 are not liquid at any reasonable pressure.
If you don't hold the inflater properly (vertically), you will get liquid CO2 in the nozzle which will probably freeze into a solid and prevent any more CO2 from going into your tire.