PRODUCTS AND SERVICES
ENVIRONMENTAL TESTING
BECOMES MORE SUSTAINABLE
The accreditation of a refrigerant with reduced
global warming potential means users of test
chambers can meet the latest regulations now
and in the future
W hen it comes to the testing and
certification of new refrigerants, the
American Society for Heating and Air-
Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) is the
globally recognized authority. By certifying
the WT69, the society has confirmed that it is
non-flammable and non-toxic, even in the
case of leakage. WT69 is being given the
number R-469A by ASHRAE.
The WT69 / R-469A refrigerant was
developed in order to offer an alternative to
R23 with a much lower GWP for use in ultralow
temperature applications. The
certification by ASHRAE confirms the success
of the development work and was awarded to
the refrigerant after an intensive test
conducted by an expert panel. For operators
of environmental simulation systems, the
certification above all acts as evidence that
the refrigerant is future-proof with regard to
the next stage of the F-gas Regulation.
WT69 / R-469A has a GWP of 1,357 and will
be freely available on the market from the end
of the year. With the R-number, Weiss Technik
has received a seal of approval for its latest
refrigerant that acts as a sign of safety and
reliability for its use in different industries.
WT69 / R-469A was developed by Weiss
Technik in partnership with Dresden
University of Technology. It is used in all of
Weisss Technik’s ClimeEvent standard climate
test chambers with a cooling rate of 3 and 5
Kelvin. These test chambers help to test the
influence of temperature and humidity on the
properties, function and lifespan of almost
any product. They are designed to adhere to
numerous test standards and carry out longterm
tests. Equipped with the new refrigerant
WT 69/ R-469A the ClimeEvent test chambers
feature a GWP value of just 1397. Therefore,
they are safe to use even after 2030 and the
refrigerant does not have to be replaced. As a
result, they are already surpassing the future
statutory standards today therefore futureproofing
tests, making the equipment easier
to maintain and more
environmentally friendly. In
addition to the standard
models available, special
models such as vibration
cabinets and climate test
chambers with temperaturechanging
rates of up to 20
Kelvin are being converted
to the new refrigerant.
Weiss Technik required a
reliable and experienced
partner with a distribution
network to help firmly
establish WT69 / R-469A in
the market. The refrigerant is
independently produced and
freely distributed by the
company Technische Gase
und Gastechnik (TEGA) in the
German city of Würzburg.
TEGA is ensuring the safe and professional
handling of the refrigerant from production
through to filling and right through to sales
and transport.
The refrigerant regulation for fluorinated
greenhouse gases significantly tightens the
restrictions placed on manufacturers. It also
stipulates new requirements for operators of
existing systems with regard to their testing
and documentation obligations. At the same
time, R23 will also become scarcer and more
expensive due to the quota system. As one of
the world’s leading specialists for
environmental simulation testing systems,
Weiss Technik identified these impacts at an
early stage and started to develop a synthetic
refrigerant for ultra-low-temperature
systems. With WT69 / R-469A, Weiss Technik
is now presenting a fully-fledged alternative
to R23. The refrigerant requires no
compromise in terms of performance, use
and cost-effectiveness, reliably delivers
comparable test results and allows the
further use of existing test profiles. WT69 /
106 MARCH \\ AEROSPACETESTINGINTERNATIONAL.COM
R-469A is therefore an extremely future-proof
solution and a secure investment.
Weiss Technik offers solutions that are
used around the world in research and
development as well as in the production and
quality assurance of numerous products. A
strong distribution and service organization
with 22 companies at 40 different locations in
15 countries ensures optimum customer
support and guarantees a high degree of
operational safety.\\
FREE READER INQUIRY SERVICE
weiss technik
1 // Test chambers
containing WT69 / R-469A
will provide reliable tests
in an extended
temperature range down
to -70°C
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