What type of refrigerant is R-134A?

R-134A, also known as tetrafluoroethane, is a hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) refrigerant that is commonly used in automotive air conditioning systems and refrigeration applications. It is characterized by its low ozone depletion potential (ODP) and is considered a more environmentally friendly alternative to older refrigerants like R-12. However, R-134A has a relatively high global warming potential (GWP), which has led to a gradual phase-out in favor of more sustainable alternatives.