Fomblin®/Galden® Perfluoropolyether Fluids
Ozone Statement
Because of the possible depletion of ozone in the atmosphere and government
regulations, there is concern regarding the use of fluorocarbons in the
United States. The specific fluorocarbons considered to be responsible for
depletion of the ozone in the stratosphere are the low molecular weight
chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and bromofluorocarbons (halons). The mode of
action by which these CFCs and halons react to deplete the ozone in the
stratosphere is thought to be through photolytic formation of chlorine and
bromine free radicals, which react with ozone in the stratosphere to form
oxygen molecules.
Specifically, CFCs and halons evaporate in the air and eventually reach the
upper atmosphere. The radiation from the sun then knocks off a chlorine or
bromine atom from the molecule. This single atom is a free radical which is
extremely reactive and causes a chain reaction which converts ozone into
oxygen. This chain reaction may destroy as many as 100,000 molecules of
ozone before being washing out of the sky by rain. As a result of these
concerns regarding the depletion of ozone in the atmosphere, a conference
sponsored by the US EPA, Environment Canada and the Conservation Foundation
formed the "Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer."
One type of substitute for the ozone depleting chlorofluorocarbons are HCFCs
which contain one or more structural hydrogen. These materials have
physical properties similar to the analogous fully halogenated products,
however the hydrogen in the molecule allows the product to degrade lower in
the atmosphere, preventing them from reaching the stratosphere where damage
to the ozone layer can occur.
Another type of substitute to ozone depleting CFCs are products which do
not contain either the chlorine or bromine atoms which participate in the
chemical reaction destroying our ozone layer. Fomblin and Galden
perfluorinated fluids are one such class of compounds. Fomblin and Galden
perfluorinated fluids have relatively low vapor pressure and do not contain
either the chlorine or bromine atoms which are responsible for the
ozone depleting chain reaction. In addition, Fomblin and Galden products
have no structural hydrogen, making these unique fluids much less reactive
and safer to use and handle than the proposed CFC substitutes which have
hydrogen in their structure.
Hence, Fomblin and Galden perfluoropolyether fluids have a Zero Ozone
Depletion Potential and are not classified as VOCs by the US EPA
(Environmental Protection Agency).
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Friday September 05, 2008
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