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Investigation of a Two‐Stage Airbag Module with Azide‐Free Gas Generators
Author(s) -
Schmid Helmut,
Eisenreich Norbert
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
propellants, explosives, pyrotechnics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.56
H-Index - 65
eISSN - 1521-4087
pISSN - 0721-3115
DOI - 10.1002/1521-4087(200011)25:5<230::aid-prep230>3.0.co;2-#
Subject(s) - airbag , stage (stratigraphy) , automotive engineering , environmental science , engineering , geology , paleontology
Airbags are used as a standard equipment of cars to strongly increase the safety of drivers and passengers on accidents. Recent developments include azide‐free formulations of the gas generator and ‘smart’ airbag combustion modules which enable a variable gas output. Guanidium azotetrazolate (GZT) is investigated as a fuel and Cu(NO 3 ) 2 ċ2Cu(OH) 2 as an oxidizer and the resulting azide‐free formulation produces a gas output of about 500 l/kg. The use of V 6 Mo 15 O 60 , as a catalyst reduces the amount of harmful gases below accepted limits. Various grains were produced, ignited in closed vessels, and the burning rates measured. The investigations of a two‐stage module with igniter units consisting of two squibs and boosters showed a broad variety of pressure‐times curves achievable by time delayed initiation. A simulation by a simplified model could even demonstrate the possibility to compensate the temperature dependency of the combustion by a delayed ignition. In static deployment and sled tests the prototype airbag module fulfilled the requirements.