Daimler engineers have found that under certain conditions, the new internationally recognised R1234yf refrigerant can be flammable.
The company says it has alerted the relevant authorities to the findings of its own engineers’ tests on the new refrigerant. This more climate-friendly chemical was set to be used worldwide in the automotive industry and has until now been perceived to be safe.
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R1234yf has been tested in numerous laboratories, as well as in crash tests carried out by international vehicle manufacturers and independent institutions. However, Daimler’s collision tests which go “above and beyond the legally prescribed requirements” have shown that the chemical can be ignited in certain extreme situations.
Engineers were able to replicate conditions under which R1234yf would be sprayed onto hot engine bay components due to a severed refrigerant line. This situation can occur following a head-on collision. Similar tests of the current R134a refrigerant did not result in ignition, the company notes.
Due to the new findings of this study, this chemical will not be used in Mercedes-Benz vehicles. The firm says that it wishes to continue using what it terms the “proven and safe” R134a refrigerant in its vehicles.
Daimler notes that it will make the results of its internal investigation available to all relevant associations as well as to other vehicle manufacturers.
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By GlobalDataThe just-auto blog: flammable refrigerant?
Author: Glenn Brooks
