R-507a & R-600a Refrigerant gases

R507A & R600a Refrigerant Gas: Properties, Uses, and Applications

R507A and R600a are two very different refrigerants that share little beyond both appearing in UAE cold-chain and refrigeration equipment. R507A is a non-flammable HFC blend used mainly in commercial low-temperature refrigeration as a long-term substitute for R502. R600a is isobutane, a flammable hydrocarbon used almost exclusively in domestic and small commercial refrigerators and freezers. They are not interchangeable, and neither has one fixed “pressure” or “temperature range”; both depend on the specific system.

R507A Refrigerant Gas

What Is R507A Refrigerant?

R507A (commonly written R-507 or R507) is an azeotropic blend of two hydrofluorocarbons, R-125 and R-143a, mixed in equal parts by mass. Because it’s azeotropic, the two components boil and condense together as if they were a single substance; there’s no meaningful temperature glide to account for during charging or servicing, which is one reason it became a favored replacement for R502.

R507A Composition and Classification

These figures are consistent across major refrigerant manufacturers (Chemours Freon™, Arkema Forane®, and Honeywell). Always confirm against the specific cylinder’s technical data sheet before servicing.

What Is R507A Used For?

R507A is used almost exclusively in commercial and industrial low- and medium-temperature refrigeration in the same territory R502 used to occupy. Typical applications include cold storage rooms, refrigerated display and merchandising cases, ice machines, transport refrigeration, and process refrigeration in food and beverage handling. It ended up in these applications because its physical and thermodynamic behavior tracks R502 closely enough that compressors, evaporators, and expansion devices designed around R502 could be adapted with a straightforward retrofit, without the capacity and efficiency penalties seen with some other R502 substitutes.

R507A Temperature Range and Suction Pressure

There’s no single “R507A temperature” or “R507A suction pressure” that applies to every system, and any source that states one flat number without qualification should be treated with caution.

What actually determines pressure and temperature at any point in the circuit is the evaporating and condensing temperature the system is designed and operated at, which in turn depends on:

• System design (low-temperature vs. medium-temperature duty)
• Refrigerant charge and whether it’s correct for that specific system
• Load on the evaporator
• Ambient/condensing conditions
• Compressor, evaporator, condenser, and expansion device specifications set by the OEM

What’s fixed is the relationship between saturation pressure and saturation temperature, which is what a pressure-temperature (PT) chart shows. R507A’s normal boiling point is -46.7°C at atmospheric pressure, and its critical pressure is 37.05 bar absolute at a critical temperature of 70.6°C; everything in between follows the refrigerant’s own saturation curve. A technician reads the evaporating or condensing pressure off the gauge, then uses a verified PT chart or app to cross-reference the corresponding saturation temperature for that specific system’s operating point, not a number lifted from an unrelated system.

How to Charge R507A Refrigerant

Charging R507A responsibly means following the equipment manufacturer’s specification for that system, not a generic pressure target. A defensible sequence looks like this:

1. Confirm the refrigerant is correct for the system; check the nameplate and prior service records.
2. Recover any existing refrigerant before opening the circuit, using approved recovery equipment.
3. Leak-test and evacuate the system to the manufacturer’s specified vacuum level before introducing new refrigerant.
4. Charge from the liquid phase where the system design calls for it because R507A is azeotropic; vapor-phase charging is generally acceptable too, but liquid-phase charging is standard practice with many refrigerant cylinders’ dual-port valves.
5. Use POE lubricant-compatible equipment and avoid introducing moisture or air into the circuit.
6. Charge to the manufacturer’s specified weight or superheat/subcooling target, not a pressure gauge reading in isolation. Pressure alone doesn’t tell you the system is correctly charged.
7. Monitor operating pressures and temperatures after charging and compare them against the equipment’s rated operating envelope.
8. Avoid overcharging; R507A systems are sensitive to liquid slugging and flooded starts if overcharged.
9. Record the final charge weight and operating conditions for service history.

R507A vs. R404A: Are They the Same?

No. R507A and R404A are different refrigerant blends, even though both were developed as R502 replacements and are used in overlapping low-temperature commercial refrigeration applications.

Neither is universally “better”; the choice usually comes down to what the OEM specified for that compressor and system and which one the existing infrastructure is already set up to service. Both are HFCs under Kigali Amendment scrutiny, so neither is a long-term low-GWP strategy on its own.

R507A vs R502

R507A was developed specifically as a long-term substitute for R502, an HCFC phased out globally under the Montreal Protocol for its ozone depletion potential. R507A has zero ODP and closely matches R502’s operating pressures, capacity, and efficiency, with a somewhat lower compressor discharge temperature, a property associated with longer compressor life and more stable lubricant performance. That said, converting an R502 system to R507A is a retrofit, not a straight drop-in: it typically requires an oil change to POE, verification of elastomer and seal compatibility, and manufacturer sign-off. R502 is no longer available for servicing in most markets, so R507A (or a newer low-GWP alternative) is the practical path forward for legacy R502 equipment still in operation.

Is R507A Being Phased Out in the UAE?

Regulation here needs to be stated carefully rather than in absolutes. R507A is an HFC, and HFCs, unlike ozone-depleting CFCs and HCFCs, are regulated under the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, not banned outright. The UAE ratified the Kigali Amendment in April 2024, becoming the first GCC state to do so. As a Group 2 Article 5 party, the UAE has committed to freezing HFC production by 2028 and reducing HFC consumption by 85% by 2047, measured against its 2024–2026 baseline consumption.

In practical terms, this means:

• R507A is not currently banned for new equipment or servicing in the UAE.
• The regulatory direction is toward gradually reduced HFC consumption, which will affect availability, pricing, and long-term specification decisions over the coming decades rather than an immediate cutoff.
• New equipment specifiers in the UAE should expect increasing pressure toward lower-GWP alternatives over time, but existing R507A systems can continue to be serviced under current UAE requirements.
• Requirements differ from the EU’s F-Gas Regulation and other jurisdictions’ timelines, so UAE-specific compliance should be checked against local Ministry of Climate Change and Environment guidance rather than assumed from overseas regulations.

R507A Refrigerant Price in the UAE

R507A pricing varies with cylinder size, brand, packaging, order quantity, and prevailing market/import conditions, so publishing a fixed figure here would go stale immediately. Contact Al Imran for the current R507. A refrigerant availability, cylinder sizes, and UAE pricing.

R600a Refrigerant Gas

What Is R600a Refrigerant?

R600a is isobutane (chemical formula C₄H₁₀), a natural hydrocarbon refrigerant. It has zero ozone depletion potential and a global warming potential of roughly 3, dramatically lower than the HFCs it has widely replaced in domestic refrigeration. Its normal boiling point is around -11.7°C, with a critical temperature near 134.7°C and critical pressure around 36.4 bar. Because of its excellent thermodynamic efficiency relative to its environmental impact, R600a is now the dominant refrigerant in domestic refrigerators and freezers manufactured in Europe and much of the rest of the world.

Is R600 the same as R600a?

This is worth stating plainly because it’s a common point of confusion: R600 and R600a are not interchangeable designations. R600 refers to n-butane; R600a refers to isobutane. They’re structural isomers with the same chemical formula, different molecular arrangements, and different physical properties. The refrigerant actually used in domestic refrigeration, including the Maxron product Al Imran stocks, is R600a (isobutane), not R600. If you’re sourcing “R600 refrigerant” for a domestic fridge or freezer, confirm with the supplier that what you’re actually receiving is R600a, since that’s what the equipment is almost certainly designed for.

What Is R600a Used For?

R600a’s primary application is domestic and small commercial refrigeration: household refrigerators and freezers, mini-fridges, vending machines, and small display coolers. Its use is concentrated in low-charge systems (typically under a few hundred grams of refrigerant) precisely because of its flammability: keeping the total charge small limits the risk if a leak occurs. It is not typically used in large commercial or industrial systems, where the total refrigerant charge would make flammability risk harder to manage.

Is R600a Refrigerant Flammable?

Yes. R600a carries an ASHRAE A3 safety classification: non-toxic but highly flammable. This is the single most important safety fact about the refrigerant, and it drives everything about how it must be serviced:

• Systems using R600a must be designed and manufactured specifically for a flammable refrigerant, with appropriate electrical component isolation and charge limits.
• Servicing requires equipment and procedures rated for flammable refrigerants, including spark-free tools and adequate ventilation.
• Ignition sources (open flame, unrated electrical equipment) must be eliminated from the work area before opening a charged system.
• Refrigerant charge sizes are deliberately kept low by design; this is a manufacturer safety limit, not a suggestion.
• Recovery and disposal must follow procedures appropriate for a flammable hydrocarbon, not the same routine used for A1 refrigerants like R507A or R134a.

Technicians without training on A3 refrigerant handling should not service R600a systems.

R600a vs R134a

Can R600a Replace R134a?

Not as a universal drop-in. R600a should not be treated as an automatic substitute for R134a in an existing system. The reasons come down to more than just the refrigerant itself:

• Compressor compatibility: R600a compressors are built for a hydrocarbon’s different pressure and lubricant behavior; an R134a compressor is not certified to run on R600a.
• Electrical and ignition safety R600a’s A3 classification requires components rated for flammable refrigerant service, which an R134a-designed appliance won’t have.
• Charge quantity: The safe charge for R600a is calculated differently and is typically much smaller by mass than an equivalent R134a charge.
• Manufacturer approval and retrofit procedure converting an appliance from R134a to R600a (or vice versa) is a manufacturer-level engineering decision, not a field substitution, and doing it without approval can create a genuine fire risk.

Where R600a has replaced R134a, it has generally happened at the manufacturing stage, with appliance makers designing new refrigerator and freezer models around R600a from the outset rather than through field retrofits of existing R134a units.

R507A vs R600a: Key Differences

If you’re sourcing refrigerant, tools, or compressors for either application, Al Imran stocks R507A and R600a (Maxron) refrigerant gas, along with the compressors, POE lubricants, manifold gauges, and vacuum pumps used to service both. Contact the team for current stock and UAE pricing.

Conclusion

R507A and R600a occupy separate ends of the refrigerant spectrum, and treating them as interchangeable is where most sourcing and servicing mistakes start. R507A remains the practical, non-flammable choice for commercial and industrial low-temperature systems, tracing back to R502, while R600a’s flammability profile confines it to the low-charge domestic and small commercial equipment it was designed for. Neither is being phased out in the UAE today, but the Kigali Amendment’s HFC reduction schedule means R507A’s long-term availability and pricing are worth watching, whereas R600a’s low GWP gives it a more secure long-term position as regulations tighten.

For technicians and buyers, the practical takeaways carry across both gases: verify pressures against a proper PT chart rather than a memorized number, charge to the OEM’s specified weight or superheat/subcooling target instead of a generic pressure reading, and never substitute one refrigerant class for another without confirming compressor, lubricant, and safety-classification compatibility. Whether the requirement is R507A for a cold room or R600a (Maxron) for a domestic fridge line, Al Imran stocks both refrigerants along with the compressors, gauges, and lubricants needed to service them. Contact the team for current UAE stock and pricing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is R600 refrigerant gas?

R600 is n-butane, a hydrocarbon refrigerant closely related to but chemically distinct from R600a (isobutane). Most refrigeration and domestic appliance applications you’ll encounter actually use R600a, not R600. Confirm which one your equipment is specified for before charging.

What is R507 refrigerant gas?

R507A (often shortened to R507) is an azeotropic HFC blend of R-125 and R-143a, used mainly as a long-term substitute for R502 in commercial low-temperature refrigeration.

Is R600a refrigerant flammable?

Yes. R600a carries an ASHRAE A3 classification, meaning it is non-toxic but highly flammable and must be serviced with procedures appropriate for flammable refrigerants.

What is R507 refrigerant used for?

R507A is used in commercial and industrial low- and medium-temperature refrigeration, including cold storage, display cases, ice machines, and transport refrigeration.

Are R404A and R507 the same?

No. Both were developed as R502 replacements and share some components, but R507A is a true azeotrope with no glide, while R404A is a near-azeotropic blend with a small glide.

Is R407A a replacement for R22?

R407A is one of several HFC blends used as an R22 retrofit option in some medium-temperature refrigeration systems, but suitability depends on the specific system it isn’t automatically the right choice for every R22 application.

What are the properties of R507 refrigerant?

R507A is a 50/50 azeotropic blend of R-125 and R-143a, with an ODP of 0, a GWP of 3,985, an A1 safety classification, a normal boiling point of -46.7°C, and a critical temperature of 70.6°C. See the properties table above for the full data set.

What is the suction pressure of R507 refrigerant?

There isn’t a single fixed suction pressure; it depends on the evaporating temperature the system is running at. Use a verified pressure-temperature chart alongside the actual evaporating temperature for that system.

What is the R507 refrigerant pressure-temperature chart?

A PT chart maps R507A’s saturation pressure to its saturation temperature across its operating range. Technicians use it to determine what temperature corresponds to a given gauge reading, rather than relying on one universal number.

What is the temperature range of R507 refrigerant?

This depends on what’s being asked: the refrigerant’s own thermodynamic range runs from its boiling point (-46.7°C at atmospheric pressure) up to its critical temperature (70.6°C), but the actual evaporating temperature in any given system depends on that system’s design and operating conditions.

How do you charge R507 refrigerant?

Charging requires recovering the old refrigerant, evacuating the system, and charging to the equipment manufacturer’s specified weight or superheat/subcooling target using POE-compatible equipment, not to a generic pressure reading.

Is R507 refrigerant being phased out?

Not currently banned in the UAE, but it is an HFC subject to the Kigali Amendment’s gradual consumption reduction schedule, which the UAE ratified in 2024.

What is R600a used for in refrigerators?

R600a is the standard refrigerant in most modern domestic refrigerators and freezers, chosen for its low environmental impact and good thermodynamic efficiency in small, sealed systems.

Is R600a the same as isobutane?

Yes, R600a is the refrigerant industry designation for isobutane.

Can R600a replace R134a?

Not as a field drop-in. Compressor design, electrical safety, charge size, and manufacturer approval all differ between the two, so switching typically happens at the manufacturing stage, not through retrofit.

What is the difference between R600a and R134a?

R600a is a flammable hydrocarbon with a very low GWP (~3); R134a is a non-flammable HFC with a much higher GWP (~1,430). They also require different, non-interchangeable compressors.

What is the difference between R507 and R404A?

R507A is a true azeotrope (no glide) made of two components; R404A is a near-azeotropic blend of three components with a small glide. Both serve overlapping low-temperature commercial refrigeration roles.

What is the price of R507 refrigerant in the UAE?

Pricing depends on cylinder size, brand, and market conditions at the time of purchase. Contact Al Imran for current availability and UAE pricing.