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Service Engineers Section

Datasheet 14

REFRIGERANTS
and ALTERNATIVES
(R)
NUMBER

TRADE NAME

BRIEF
DESCRIPTION

ALTERNATIVE/
NOTES

R-11
CFC

Freon 11
Arcton 11
Forane 11
Isceon 11
Solkane 11

Used as a foam blowing agent and a refrigerant in

centrifugal compressors. Also was used to flush out
contaminated systems. Oils Consult OEM

Alternative:
R123 for refrigeration applications (Note: not easily
retrofittable).
For solvent applications consult wholesalers

R-12 CFC

Freon 12
Arcton 12
Forane 12
Isceon 12
Solkane 12
N/A

Used for high/low temperature refrigeration

applications, domestic refrigerators, foam blowing
agent. Oils M, A/B

Alternative:
R401A, R409A, R413A for applications evaporating
-15oC and above
R409B, R401B for
evaporating at -15C and below

Low temperature single stage refrigerant: -40 to

-60C. Oils Consult OEM
Low temperature refrigerant. Oils Consult OEM

Alternative:
R410A, Isceon 89
Alternative:
R23, R508B

Wide range of applications. Low, medium, and high

temperature refrigeration and air conditioning also
foam blowing.
Oils M, A/B, POE*

Low temperature refrigeration systems: -40 to

-80C. Oils Consult OEM

Alternative:
Low temperature refrigeration applications R404A, R507. High temperature air conditioning
applications, direct expansion use - R407C
R417A, RS44. These products are simple drop ins
and can be used as such for HT applications.
Alternative:
N/A

Low temperature refrigerant, designated flammable.

Oils Consult OEM

Alternative:
N/A

Limited application in Centrifugal refrigeration

systems but was widely used as a solvent, particularly
in the dry cleaning industry.
Oils Consult OEM

Alternative:
R123 for refrigeration applications. (Note: this
retrofit is not easy to do, refer to marketing for
advice) Solvent applications banned.

Widely used in heat pump applications. Oils M,

A/B

Alternative:
R124 (Note: not easily retrofittable)

Used as a retrofit alternative to R11/R113 (See notes

on these products). Oils Consult OEM
Can be used as an alternative to R114 in heat pump
applications (see notes on R114)
Oils Consult OEM

- Alternative:

R-13b1 CFC
R-13 CFC

R-22 HCFC

R-23 HFC

R-32 HFC
R113

Freon 23
Arcton 23
Forane 23
Isceon 23
Solkane 23
Klea
32
Solkane 32

CFC

R114 CFC

R123
HCFC
R124
HCFC

Freon 13
Arcton 13
Isceon 13
Forane 13
Freon 22
Arcton 22
Forane 22
Isceon 22
Solkane 22

Freon 114
Arcton 114
Forane 114
Isceon 114
Solkane 114
R123
R124

SES Datasheet No 14

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- Alternative:

December 2004

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R125
HFC

N/A

R134a
HFC

SUVA
134a
Arcton 134a
Forane 134a
Isceon 134a
Solkane 134a
N/A

R134a +UV
HFC
R141b
HCFC

N/A

Used as an alternative to R115 and a component in

refrigerant blends, i.e. HP80/HP81/HP62.
Oils POE
Used for high/medium R12 applications. Foam
blowing agent, and a component in refrigerant
blends. Oils POE

- Alternative:

R134a cw UV dye already added for use in auto a/c.

Oils - PAG
Widely used as a foam-blowing agent. Application
ban by Jan 2004. Oils N/A

Alternatives:
Alternatives:
Market has moved to HFC365 and HFC365/227
blends. Also HFC 245.
Alternatives:

R142b
HCFC
R143a
HFC

N/A

R152a HFC

Dymel R152a

R218

Perfluoro-propane

R290 HC

Propane

R401A
HCFC

SUVA MP39

R401B
HCFC

SUVA MP66

R401C
HCFC
R402A
HCFC

SUVA MP52

R402B
HCFC

SUVA HP81

R403A
HCFC

Isceon 69S

R403B
HCFC

Isceon 69L

Rhone Poulenc alternative to R502. Oils M, A/B,

POE

R404A
HFC

SUVA R404A
Forane FX70
Arcton R404A
Forane R404A
Isceon R404A
Solkane R404A
DI 36

Widely accepted HFC alternative to R502 for new

low temperature applications.
Oils POE

Alternative:

Little used R12 replacement, available from Gasco

Oils - Consult OEM

Alternative:
R409A, R401A, R413A - for High Temperature
Applications > -15C.
R409B - for Low Temperature Applications < 15C.

HCFC

Solkane 143a
Forane 143a

SUVA HP80

SES Datasheet No 14

Widely used as a component in

Elf Attochem blends. Oils N/A
Used by Dupont and others as a component in
refrigeration blends, i.e. HP62. Designated
flammable. Oils N/A
Used as a component in Dupont blends, also used in
the glass industry for floating various lustres.
Designated flammable. Oils POE
Used by Rhone Poulenc as principle component for
Isceon R69S/L and other blends.
Oils N/A
Sold by Calor under the Care 40 label. Specification
99% purity. Designated flammable.
Oils M, A/B, POE
High temperature alternative for R12 applications.
Evaporating at
-15C and above. Oils M, A/B, POE

Alternatives:
R413A, RS24 - for High Temperature Applications
> -15C.

R12 Low temperature alternative. Evaporating at

-15C and below. This product is widely used in
Transport Refrigeration.
Oils M, A/B, POE
Specialist application R12 alternative (auto a/c).
Oils N/A
Low temperature R502 alternative, favoured by
OEMs due to low discharge temps.
Oils M, A/B, POE
High performance R502 alternative with possible
high discharge temps. However this product has
good capacity. Oils M, A/B, POE
Rhone Poulenc alternative to R502. This product is
now discontinued. Oils M, A/B, POE

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Alternatives:
Not available as a single component.
Alternatives:
Not generally for sale as a refrigerant
Alternatives:

Alternatives:
Available as Care 40
Alternative:
R409A, R413A - for High Temperature
Applications > -15C.
Alternatives:
R409B, - for Low Temperature Applications < 15C.
Alternatives:

R413A, RS24

Alternative;
R408A (FX10) , Isceon 79
Alternative;
R408A, R411B, R403B, Isceon 79
Alternative:
R408A, R402A, R402B,R411B,
R403B, Isceon 79
Alternative:
R408A, R402A, R402B,R411B,
Isceon 79
R507

December 2004

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R407A
HFC

Klea 60

R407B HFC

Klea 61

R407C
HFC

SUVA R407C
Klea 66
Forane R407C
Solkane R407C
Genetron R407C
Klea R407C

R407D
HFC
R407E
HFC
R408A
HCFC

Klea R407E

R409A
HCFC
R409B
HCFC
R410A
HFC
R500 CFC

Forane FX10
Arcton R408A
Forane R408A
Isceon R408A
Solkane R408A
Forane FX56
Forane FX57
R410A
Genetron AZ20
Freon 500

R502 CFC

Freon 502

R503
CFC
R507
HFC

Freon 503

R508A
HFC

ICI R508A

R508B HFC

SUVA 95

R600a HC

Isobutane

R717

Ammonia

Genetron AZ50

NIK

ICI Alternative to R404A. This product is now

discontinued and only available to special order.
Oils POE
ICI Retrofit alternative to R502. This product is now
discontinued and only available to special order.
Oils POE
Widely accepted R22 alternative for direct expansion
systems operating at high temperatures.
Oils POE

Alternative: New system R404A, R507

Alternative:

Alternative
RS44/45 & R417A
Refer to OEMs for applications

ICI HFC Retrofit alternative for R500. This product

is only available to special order Oils POE
ICI HFC retrofit alternative to R22. This product is
only available to special order. Oils POE
Elf Atochem R502 alternative for medium and low
temperatures
Oils M, A/B, POE

Alternative:
R401B
Alternative:
R407C
Alternative;
R402A, R403B R402B, R411B, Isceon 79

Elf Atochem R12 high temperature alternative.

Oils M, A/B, POE
Elf Atochem low temperature R12 alternative.
Product now discontinued. Oils M, A/B, POE
Designed for new R22 applications, but can also be
used to retrofit R13b1 systems. Oils POE
Low temperature R12 CFC mostly used in transport.
Oils M, A/B
Widely used low temperature refrigerant in the
United Kingdom. Oils M, A/B
Low temperature refrigerant -80 to -100C.
Oils Consult OEM
Low temperature refrigerant - application similar to
R502/R404A
Allied Signal alternative to R404A. Oils POE
Low temperature replacement for R503. Only by
ICI. This product is only available to special order.
Oils Consult OEM
DuPont replacement for R503. Oils Consult OEM

Alternative:
R401A, R413A,
Alternative:
R401B

Hydrocarbon refrigerant selected by domestic

manufacturers as long term alternative for small
units. Designated flammable.
Alternative refrigerant used in large industrial
systems. No GWP and no ODP/Toxic and
Flammable. Oils Always consult OEM
Ultra Low Temperature Refrigerant.
Designated Flammable. Oils Consult OEM
Low Temperature Refrigerant. Designated
Flammable
Oils M, A/B, POE

Alternative:
R401B
Alternatives:
R402A, R402B, R403B, R411B, Isceon 79
Alternative:
R508B
Alternative:
R404A
Alternative:
R508B
Alternative:
Alternative:
Available as Care 10.
Alternative:

R1150 HC

Ethane

R-1270 HC

Propylene Propene
Care 45

HC

Care 30

Hydrocarbon blend R600a/R290 for R12 application

Oils M, A/B, POE

Alternative:

HC

Care 50

Hydrocarbon blend R290/R1170 for R502

applications
Oils M, A/B, POE

Alternative:

SES Datasheet No 14

New system R404A, R507

Page 3 of 4

Alternative:
Available as Care 45

December 2004

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HFC

FX 90

Atofina drop in for R22 systems, this product is

designated A2 for flammability, and customers should
be referred to marketing for application advice.
Oils M, A/B, POE

Alternative:
RS44/45 & R417A (Isceon 59)

R413A HFC

Isceon 49

Rhone Poulenc
Drop-in for R12 applications
Oils M, A/B, POE

Alternative:
R401A, R409A - for High Temperature
Applications > -15C.
R401B for Low Temperature Applications < -15C
R134a for new HT/MT applications

R417A
HFC

Isceon 59

Rhone Poulenc
Drop-in for R22 applications
Oils M, A/B, POE

FC

RS45

R227 HFC

DuPont HFC 227

Solvay HFC 227

236fa HFC

DuPont HFC236fa

HFC

RS24

245mfd
HFC
365mfd
HFC
HFC

Enovate 3000

HFC

Isceon 79

HFC

Isceon 39TD

HFC

Isceon 89

HFC

Isceon 29

R411B
HCFC

GU2018

Refrigerant Products drop in for R22 LT & new R22

applications
Oils M, A/B, POE
Used in MDIs and as a component in foam blowing
applications.
Oils Consult OEM
Fire Extinguisant from Dupont, can be used as a
refrigerant in limited applications
Oils N/A
Refrigerant Products HFC drop in for R12.
Oils M, A/B, POE
Foam blowing alternative from Honeywell
Oils N/A
Foam blowing alternative from Solvay
Oils N/A
Refrigerant Products HFC drop in for R22 HT/MT
Oils M, A/B, POE
Rhone Poulenc
Drop-in for R502 type applications
Oils M, A/B, POE
Rhone Poulenc HFC
Drop-in for R12 centrif applications
Oils Consult OEM
Rhone Poulenc HFC
Drop-in for R13B1 applications
Oils Consult OEM
Rhone Poulenc HFC
Drop-in for R22 Chiller applications
Oils Consult OEM
Greencool replacement
for R12/22/502
Oils M, A/B, POE

Alternative:
To convert from R22 we suggest R407C. But this
product is a simple drop in and can be used as
such.
Alternative:

Solkane HFC365
RS44

Alternative:

Alternative:

Alternative:
R413A
Alternative:
Alternative:
Alternative:
R417A
Alternative:
RS52
Alternative:

Alternative:
SUVA R410A
Alternative:
RS44
Alternative:
Select MP39/66 or FX56/57
or HP80/81 or FX10, , Isceon 79

Notes:
CFCs: These products have ceased production within the EEC for internal consumption with effect from 1994. Where a customer asks for a
CFC please see the refrigerant selector chart for a suitable alternative. It is illegal to use these products for any service activity.
HCFCs: At the time of publication there is reducing availability of HCFCs within the EEC, and the present production phase out date is 2010.
A full use ban is expected to be in force from 2015.
HFCs: At the time of publication there is no production phase out date for HFCs and there is unrestricted use on their applications within the
UK.
HCs and others: This product group includes hydrocarbon refrigerants and ammonia.

Service Engineers Section of the Institute of Refrigeration, Kelvin House, 76 Mill Lane, Carshalton SM5 2JR. Tel 020 8 647 7033

SES Datasheet No 14

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December 2004