These are any of the organic compounds inwhich all of the hydrogen atoms attached to acarbon atom have been replaced by fluorine.Fluorocarbons are usually gases or liquids atroom temperature, depending on the number ofcarbon atoms in the molecule. A major use ofgaseous fluorocarbons is in radiation-inducedetching processes for the microelectronicsindustry; the most common one is tetrafluoromethane.Liquid fluorocarbons possess aunique combination of properties that has ledto their use as inert fluids for cooling of electronicdevices and soldering. Solubility of gasesin fluorocarbons has also been used to advantage.For example, they have been used in biologicalcultures requiring O2, and as liquid barrierfilters for purifying air.
Fluorocarbons may be made part hydrocarbonand part fluorocarbon, or may contain chlorine.The fluorocarbons used as plastic resinsmay contain as much as 65% fluorine and alsochlorine, but are very stable. Liquid fluorocarbonsare used as heat-transfer agents, hydraulicfluids, and fire extinguishers. Benzene-base fluorocarbonsare used for solvents, dielectric fluids,lubricants, and for making dyes, germicides,and drugs. Synthetic lubricants of thefluorine type consist of solid particles of afluorine polymer in a high-molecular-weightfluorocarbon liquid. Chlorine reacts with fluorocarbonsto form chlorofluorocarbons, commonlyreferred to as CFCs. CFC 11 is used asa foam-blowing agent, and CFC 12 is employedas a refrigerant. CFC 113 is a degreasant insemiconductor manufacturing. Because theyare strong depletants of stratospheric ozone, theuse of CFCs as aerosol propellants has beenbanned in the United States since 1978, and isbeing phased out in Europe. Alternatives to CFCs are being sought for other applicationsby partially substituting the chlorine with otherelements. CFC 22, which has 95% less ozonedepletingcapacity than CFC 12, is a potentialcandidate to replace CFC 12.
