Measurement of HCFC-22 and HFC-152a sorption by polymers using a quartz crystal microbalance

In the present study the solubilities of hydrochlorofluorocarbon HCFC-22 an d hydrofluorocarbon HFC-152a in polystyrene (PS) and poly(methyl methacryla te) (PMMA) were measured, using a modified quartz crystal microbalance. Mea surements were performed in the low-temperature region from 35 to 85 degree sC and at low to moderately high pressures. The solubilities of both fluoro carbons were greater in PMMA possibly because of its polar nature. HCFC-22 showed a greater solubility in both polymers compared to HFC-152a. In all s ystems, except in the PS/HFC-152a, a gas-induced plasticization of polymers occurs, as revealed by the resulting convex sorption isotherms. The solubi lity data for these systems are described satisfactorily by the Flory-Huggi ns model.