CFCs, also known as freons, were used in refrigerators primarily because of their favorable chemical properties, which made them effective and safe refrigerants at the time.
The Key Properties of CFCs for Refrigeration
Based on the provided reference, the main reasons for the widespread use of Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) in refrigerators and air conditioners were their desirable characteristics:
- Nonreactive: This means they do not easily react with other substances, making them stable and less likely to degrade or cause corrosion within the refrigeration system's components.
- Non inflammable: CFCs do not catch fire, which is a critical safety feature for appliances used in homes and businesses. Their non-flammability significantly reduced the risk of fire hazards associated with refrigerants.
- Nontoxic: At the time of their introduction and widespread use, CFCs were considered nontoxic to humans. This made them safer to handle and use in consumer products compared to some earlier refrigerants which could be hazardous.
These combined properties — stability, safety regarding fire, and low toxicity — made CFCs an ideal choice for refrigerants for many years, leading to their extensive application in cooling systems like refrigerators. They were seen as a significant improvement over previously used refrigerants, which often had flammability or toxicity issues.
