R134a is also known as Tetrafluoroethane (CF3CH2F) from the family of HFC refrigerant. With the discovery of the damaging effect of CFCs and HCFCs refrigerants to the ozone layer, the HFC family of refrigerant has been widely used as their replacement.
It is now being used as a replacement for R-12 CFC refrigerant in the area of centrifugal, rotary screw, scroll and reciprocating compresssors. It is safe for normal handling as it is non-toxic, non-flammable and non-corrosive and primarily use as a "high-temperature" refrigerant for domestic refrigeration and automobile air conditioners.
| Properties | |
|---|---|
| Chemical formula | C2H2F4 |
| Molar mass | 102.032 g·mol−1 |
| Appearance | Colorless gas |
| Density | 0.00425 g/cm3, gas |
| Melting point | −103.3 °C (−153.9 °F; 169.8 K) |
| Boiling point | −26.3 °C (−15.3 °F; 246.8 K) |
| Solubility in water | 0.15 wt% |
| Hazards | |
| Occupational safety and health (OHS/OSH): | |
| Main hazards | Asphyxiant |
| GHS labelling: | |
| Pictograms |  |
| Signal word | Warning |
| Hazard statements | H280 |
| Precautionary statements | P410+P403 |
| NFPA 704 (fire diamond) |  |
| Flash point | 250 °C (482 °F; 523 K) |
| Related compounds | |
| Related refrigerants | Difluoromethane Pentafluoroethane |
| Related compounds | 1-Chloro-1,2,2,2-tetrafluoroethane 1,1,1-Trichloroethane |
