Allied Signal HFC Blowing Agent

According to the 22 May 1999 issue of the

Global Environmental Change Report,

AlliedSignal is seeking EPA approval for a new hydrofluorocarbon used in foam insulation production.

HFC-245fa has been in development since 1994 as a blowing agent for polyurethane and polyisocyanurate foam. This non-ozone-depleting foaming agent would replace HCFC-141b, which is due to be phased out by January 2003 through international agreement. According to the company, HFC-245fa matches the insulation performance of HCFC-141b while having zero ozone-depletion potential and a global-warming potential of 790, which is significantly lower than that of HFC-134a. (CO₂ is defined as having a GWP of 1.) Atlas Roofing has already committed to hydrocarbon propellants, which are neither ozone depleters nor greenhouse gases but do have flammability concerns (see

EBN

Vol. 7, No. 5).