Duracool Refrigerants Inc. 6
DURACOOL® refrigerants possess full chemical compatibility with nearly all lubricants
commonly used within refrigeration systems. Good miscibility is maintained with most
lubricants under all operating conditions. Due to the particularly good solubility with
mineral oils, it may be necessary to use a lubricant with lower solubility or increased
viscosity to compensate for possible thinning under situations where high solubility could
occur.
Lubricants containing silicone or silicate (often used as anti foaming additives) are not
compatible with DURACOOL® refrigerants and should not be used. Table 1.3 details the
various lubricants and their compatibility characteristics.
Table 1.3: Compatibility of various lubricants with Duracool® refrigerants
Lubricant Type Compatibility
Mineral (M) Fully soluble with DURACOOL® refrigerants. Excessive solubility
at high temperature conditions. Compensate by selection of
higher viscosity grade oil.
Alkyl benzene (AB) Fully soluble and typical viscosity grades applicable to all
applications.
Semi-Synthetic
(AB/M)
A blend of AB and M oils achieving desirable properties for use with
DURACOOL® refrigerants.
Polyol ester (POE) Generally exhibit excessive solubility with DURACOOL®
refrigerants. May necessitate higher viscosity grade.
Polyalkylene glycol
(PAG)
Soluble or partially soluble with DURACOOL® refrigerants
depending upon the conditions. Normal grades are generally
satisfactory.
Poly-alpha-olefins
(PAO)
Soluble with DURACOOL® refrigerants but typically used for low
temperature applications.
* Since DURACOOL® refrigerants are compatible with all lubricants generally used in the
A/C system, it is recommended that the technician utilize the lubricant designed for use
with the selected compressor. It is recommended that the technician utilize Duracool A/C
OilChill™.
1.4 MATERIALS
Virtually all common elastomer and plastic refrigeration materials used as ‘O’ rings, valve
seats, seals and gaskets are compatible with DURACOOL® refrigerants. These include
neoprene, viton, nitrile rubbers, HNBR, PTFE, and nylon. Materials that are not
compatible and should not be used in DURACOOL® refrigerants systems are EPDM,
natural rubbers and silicone rubbers. These rubbers are rarely used with compressors
manufactured currently but may be present in early compressors and/or in early design
refrigeration or A/C systems.
1.5 GENERAL SYSTEM COMPONENTS
1.3 LUBRICANTS
Evaporators and condensers using DURACOOL® refrigerants tend to be virtually the
same design and size as those used for conventional fluorocarbon refrigerants that
operate at similar pressures. Heat transfer coefficients tend to be higher for
DURACOOL® refrigerant products but this does not significantly affect heat exchanger
dimensions. All common types of heat exchangers are suitable for use with DURACOOL®
refrigerants including:
Evaporators and condensers
Typically, system components designed for use with fluorocarbon refrigerants do not
differ when using DURACOOL® refrigerants.
