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Material compatibility and thermal stability of two novel low-GWP refrigerant blends R474A and R479A for automotive applications.

Author(s) : LIU J., WANG T., DAI X., SHI L.

Type of article: IJR article

Summary

The development of low-global warming potential (GWP) refrigerants for automotive air-conditioning systems has become a global priority due to increasingly stringent environmental regulations. In this study, the material compatibility and thermal stability of two novel low-GWP refrigerant blends, R474A and R479A, with GWP < 150, were systematically evaluated and compared with the refrigerants R134a and R1234yf. The material compatibility was investigated through changes in mass, dimensions, hardness, and tensile strength of metallic and elastomeric components, while thermal stability was assessed by fluoride ion concentration analysis and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The results demonstrate that both R474A and R479A exhibit compatibility with copper, aluminum, and rubber materials comparable to that of R134a and R1234yf, with no evidence of accelerated degradation. In terms of thermal stability, R474A showed performance intermediate between R134a and R1234yf, whereas R479A behaved similarly to R1234yf. Decomposition remained negligible under vacuum, air-only, or moisture-only conditions, while a noticeable increase was observed only when air and moisture coexisted. The findings indicate that R474A and R479A satisfy the dual requirements of material compatibility and thermal stability, supporting their technical viability as alternatives to current automotive refrigerants.

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Details

  • Original title: Material compatibility and thermal stability of two novel low-GWP refrigerant blends R474A and R479A for automotive applications.
  • Record ID : 30034845
  • Languages: English
  • Subject: Technology
  • Source: International Journal of Refrigeration - Revue Internationale du Froid - vol. 187
  • Publication date: 2026/07
  • DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrefrig.2026.106944

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