Solubility of Blowing Agents HCFC 142b, HFC 134a, HFC 125 and Isopropanol in Polystyrene

Abstract

The vapor-liquid equilibria of HCFC 142b, HFC 134a, HFC 125 and isopropanol in polystyrene were determined in a closed high pressure vessel at temperatures up to 220°C. Complete solubility maps are presented for each blowing agent, including conditions for phase separation in the polystyrene phase. In order of decreasing solubility, the blowing agents rank isopropanol > HCFC 142b > HFC 134a > HFC 125. In the cases of isopropanol and HFC 134a, some solubility results obtained by the vapor pressure method and those using a high-pressure electrobalance are compared.