R-134a, also known as norflurane (INN), is a haloalkane refrigerant with thermodynamic properties similar to R-12 (dichlorodifluoromethane) but with insignificant ozone depletion potential. It has the formula CH2FCF3 and a boiling point of −26.3 °C (−15.34 °F) at atmospheric pressure. R-134a cylinders are colored light blue.Attempts at phasing out its use as a refrigerant with substances that have lower global warming potentials, such as HFO-1234yf are underway.

Uses

1,1,1,2-Tetrafluoroethane is an inert gas used primarily as a “high-temperature” refrigerant for domestic refrigeration and automobile air conditioners. These devices began using 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane in the early 1990s as a replacement for the more environmentally harmful R-12 and retrofit kits are available to convert units that were originally R-12-equipped. Other uses include plastic foam blowing, as a cleaning solvent, a propellant for the delivery of pharmaceuticals (e.g. bronchodilators), wine cork removers, gas dusters and in air driers for removing the moisture from compressed air. 1,1,1,2-Tetrafluoroethane has also been used to cool computers in some overclocking attempts. It is also commonly used as a propellant for airsoft airguns. The gas is often mixed with a silicon-based lubricant.

1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane is also being considered as an organic solvent suitable for extraction of flavor and fragrance compounds, as a possible alternative to other organic solvents and supercritical carbon dioxide. It can also be used as a solvent in organic chemistry, both in liquid and supercritical fluid.It is used in the resistive plate chamber particle detectors in the Large Hadron Collider.It is also used for other types of particle detectors, e.g. some cryogenic particle detectors. It can be used as an alternative to sulfur hexafluoride in magnesium smelting as a shielding gas.

1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane is also being considered as an alternative to sulfur hexafluoride as a dielectric gas.Its arc-quenching properties are poor, but its dielectric properties are fairly good.

Climate change considerations

Recently, 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane has been subject to use restrictions due to its contribution to climate change. It has a global warming potential of 1300.

Reactivity Profile

1,1,1,2-Tetrafluoroethane is chemically inert in many situations, but can react violently with strong reducing agents such as the very active metals and the active metals.  Can react  with strong oxidizing agents or weaker oxidizing agents under extremes of temperature.

Use in inhalers

1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane and HFA227ea are propellants of pressurised metered dose inhalers (pMDI) used by asthmatics.

This chemical[specify] is an inhalational anaesthetic studied only in animals in 1967, and toxicology investigations did not acknowledge this fact. All hydroflurocarbon inhaled anaesthetic agents have smooth muscle relaxing properties, so the propellant gas produced by pMDIs using HFA134a and HFA227ea (which has no anaesthetic activity) will add to beta2-agonist bronchodilating medicine from that inhaler.

The change from inert chloroflurocarbon freon propellant to HFAs occurred in the late 1990s, and coincided with the fact that “Asthmatic athletes have consistently outperformed healthy athletes in every Olympic games since 2000”.

Precautions for manipulation

Technical measures: it should be manipulated in a well-ventilated place. Upon high pressure condition, make sure that the internal pressure of the reaction apparatus does not exceed the cylinder pressure. For safety purpose, the gas flow path should be installed with a check valve. Do not remove the check valve before running out of the content. Wear protective equipment when handling. Wash hands and face thoroughly after handling. 
Handling Precautions: Avoid contact with skin, eyes and clothing. 
Storage conditions: Avoid the sunshine. Store it in a well-ventilated place. Do not expose it to environment above 40 ℃. Locked up the place where it is stored. Store it away from incompatible materials such as oxidants.

Quality index

Package
Disposable cylinder 25 lb / 11.3 kg;Recycling cylinder 400 l, 926 l;ISO – tanks.

Storage

Must be stored in a cool, dry and ventilated place, avoid the sun and rain.