What is R134a?

R134a is an inert gas used primarily as a refrigerant for domestic refrigeration and automobile air conditioners. It first appeared in the early 1990s as a replacement for CFC-12 (also known by its trade name Freon), which has ozone depleting properties.

R134a is also known as Tetrafluoroethane (CF3CH2F) from the family of HFC refrigerants. With the discovery of the damaging effect of CFC and HCFC refrigerants to the ozone layer, the HFC family of refrigerants has been widely used as their replacement. R134a has also been used to cool computers in some overclocking attempts. It is also commonly used as a propellant for gas-powered airsoft guns.