The Compatibility studies of the Building Blocks of Refrigerant Blends with Lubricants and Components of the Automotive AC System Materials Applications

Majority of currently used refrigeration and air conditioning systems utilize high GWP refrigerants such as HFC's. These growing environmental concerns are driving stringent regulations to phase out these high GWP refrigerants and move towards adoption of lower GWP refrigerants. Koura provides a high-performing, economical alternative to the old refrigerants generation and expands alternatives for the automotive aftermarket sector. Innovative refrigerants not only provide the industry with a more economical option, but it also meets the need for a more sustainable, lower global warming potential (GWP) solution as the automotive industry advances to meet current and future U.S. regulations for carbon emissions. This transition would require understanding of interaction between low GWP refrigerants and lubricating oils as well as the materials which are commonly used in AC system. The purpose of this study is to provide testing and acceptance evaluation for the compatibility of Automotive Air Conditioning System Materials to use blends with a lower GWP. In this paper, ASHRAE Guideline 38 methodology for materials compatibility test of select metals has been evaluated by using various commercially available (POE and PAG) lubricants. The material compatibility and reactivity of a refrigerant will be studied with lubricants that are commonly used in this application over a temperature range of 80 °C to 175 °C. Results will be reported and compared with those obtained using some refrigerant as a reference.