Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to an air bag gas generating composition.
Background Art
[0002] The so-called air bag system in which a nylon bag stowed in the steering wheel assembly
or dashboard of a car is inflated on sensing a car crash occurring at high speed to
thereby protect the driver and other passengers against being injured or killed by
the impact against the steering wheel or front glass is claiming a phenomenally increasing
share of the market reflecting the current rigorous requirements concerning driving
safety.
[0003] In this air bag system, a gas generating composition is ignited, either electrically
or mechanically, in an instant on sensing a car crash to thereby inflate the bag with
the gas so generated. The gas generating composition is generally supplied as molded
into a pellet or disk form. It is essential that such a gas generating composition
insures an appropriate burning velocity. If the burning velocity is too low, the bag
cannot be inflated in an instant so that the system fails to achieve its object. The
gas generating composition is a powdery composition having the property to get ignited
by a shock. Shock ignitability is the sensitivity of a powder to shock ignition and
an excessively high shock sensitivity is undesirable from the standpoint of safety
because it represents a high risk of explosion in the course of production, e.g. in
the mixing stage or in the molding stage. Therefore, shock sensitivity is preferably
as low as possible.
[0004] It is also necessary that the combustion temperature of the gas generating composition
be not too high. This is because, to absorb the shock of a car crash to the driver
or passenger and help him to escape, generally the inflated air bag then releases
the internal gas to shrink but if the combustion temperature is too high, the released
gas is also hot enough to cause the passenger to sustain a burn, perforate the bag
to detract from its function, or burn the bag to induce a car fire.
[0005] The known air bag gas generating compositions comprise sodium azide as the gas generating
base and certain additives such as an oxidizing agent [e.g. metal oxides such as TiO₂,
MnO₂, Fe₂O₃, CuO, etc., nitrates such as NaNO₃, KNO₃, Cu(NO₃)₂, etc., perchlorates
such as KClO₄, NaClO₄, etc. and chlorates such as KClO₃, NaClO₃, etc.], a reducing
metal [Zr, Mg, Al, Ti, etc.], a cooling agent [Na₂CO₃, K₂CO₃, CaCO₃, FeSO₄, etc.],
a pH control agent [iron sulfate etc.), a mechanical performance agent [MoS₂, KBr,
graphite, etc.] and so on.
[0006] Such sodium azide-based gas generating compositions are in common use today partly
because the generated gas is nitrogen gas for the most part and partly because they
have adequate burning velocities and relatively low combustion temperatures. However,
sodium azide has the following disadvantages.
(1) It has a risk for causing a fire on decomposition or combustion. Thus, since a
fire may be induced in the course of production (on mixing with the oxidising agent,
in the final granulation stage, etc.), it requires a rigorous safety control.
(2) It produces Na on decomposition. Since Na reacts with water to generate hydrogen
and become ignited to produce a toxic fume, there is considerable difficulty in treatment.
(3) It reacts with the oxidizing agent to liberate toxic substances such as Na₂O and
its derivatives (such as NaOH), thus calling for careful handling in the course of
production.
(4) It is acknowledged that the gas generated on combustion or decomposition of sodium
azide is rich in nitrogen and very lean in toxic substances so that there is practically
no problem. However, for added safety, a further reduction in the level of toxic substances
is desirable.
(5) Crude sodium aside in gas generating compositions is hygroscopic and since the
absorption of moisture leads to a decrease in combustibility, there must be an effective
provision for the prevention of moisture absorption.
(6) Since it is a toxic and hazardous substance, an additional capital investment
is needed for securing safety.
[0007] In view of the above disadvantages of sodium aside, the advent has been awaited of
an air bag gas generating composition which, compared with the sodium aside-based
gas generating composition mentioned above, would have an equivalent or lower shock
ignitability, equivalent or higher burning velocity and gas output, and relatively
low combustion temperature, and which is lower in the risk of fire and intoxication
hazards and lower in costs than the sodium aside-based gas generating composition.
[0008] Meanwhile, several attempts have been made to use a nitrogen-containing compound
as the base of a gas generating composition. For example, it has been proposed to
subject a reducing metal, such as Zr or Mg, and an oxidizing compound, such as potassium
perchlorate or potassium chlorate, to redox reaction to thereby ignite the gas generating
base with the resultant heat of reaction. As the gas generating base, smokeless powder,
nitrocellulose, azodicarbonamide, aminoguanidine and thiourea have been mentioned
(Japanese Examined Patent Publications No. 9734/74 and No. 21171/74). However, the
burning velocity that can be obtained by the above method is insufficient for practical
application to the air bag. Moreover, since the mixture of reducing metal and oxidising
compound has a very high shock sensitivity, the risk of handling hazards is high.
Furthermore, the combustion temperature is also suspected to be too high.
[0009] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 118979/75 discloses an air bag gas generating
composition comprising a nitrogen-containing compound such as azodicarbonamide, trihydrazinotriazine
or the like and an oxidizing agent such as potassium permanganate, manganese dioxide,
barium dichromate, barium peroxide or the like. However, the use of potassium permanganate
or manganese dioxide as the oxidizing agent does not insure satisfactory shock sensitivity
or burning velocity, while the use of barium dichromate or barium peroxide as the
oxidizing agent gives rise to toxic substances in the liberated gas.
[0010] It is an object of this invention to provide an air bag gas generating composition
having a shock sensitivity either equivalent to or lower than that of the gas generating
composition based on sodium azide.
[0011] Another object of this invention is to provide an air bag gas generating composition
which is either equivalent to or even higher than the sodium azide-based gas generating
composition in burning velocity and gas output.
[0012] A still further object of this invention is to provide an air bag gas generating
composition which is free from the above-mentioned disadvantages (1) through (6) of
the azide compound.
[0013] It is a further object of this invention to provide an air bag gas generating composition
which is low in combustion temperature with a lower risk of fire and intoxication
hazards as compared with sodium azide.
Disclosure of Invention
[0014] The inventor of this invention made an extensive exploration to accomplish the above
objects with his attention focused on nitrogen-containing compounds which by themselves
have very low risks of fire or intoxication hazards due to decomposition or combustion
and found that by causing a nitrogen-containing compound to react directly with a
defined oxidizing agent, that is a halogen oxo acid salt, taking advantage of the
reducing property of the former instead of combusting the nitrogen-containing compound
with the heat of a redox reaction, there can be realized not only a shock sensitivity
either equivalent to or lower than that of the sodium azide-based gas generating composition
but also a burning velocity and a gas output, both of which are either equivalent
to or higher than those of said sodium azide-based composition, as well as a practically
useful, low combustion temperature.
[0015] This invention is, therefore, directed to an air bag gas generating composition comprising
a nitrogen-containing organic compound and a halogen oxo acid salt.
[0016] In accordance with this invention a nitrogen-containing compound is used as the gas
generation base. There is no particular limitation on the nitrogen-containing compound
only if it is an organic compound containing at least one nitrogen atom within its
molecule. Thus, for example, amino-containing compounds, nitramine-containing compounds
and nitrosoamine-containing compounds can be mentioned. The amino-containing compounds
that can be used are virtually unlimited, thus including azodicarbonamide, urea, aminoguanidine
bicarbonate, biuret, dicyandiamide, hydrazides (e.g. acetohydrazide, 1,2-diacetylhydrazine,
laurohydrazide, salicylohydrazide, oxalodihydrazide, carbohydrazide, adipodihydrazide,
sebacodihydrazide, dodecanediohydrazide, isophthalohydrazide, methyl carbazate, semicarbazide,
formhydrazide, 1,2-diformylhydrazine) and so on. The nitramine-containing compounds
that can be used are also virtually unlimited and include aliphatic and alicyclic
compounds containing one or more nitramine groups as substituents, such as dinitropentamethylenetetramine,
trimethylenetrinitramine (RDX), tetramethylenetetranitramine (HMX) and so on. The
nitroamine-containing organic compounds that can be used are also virtually unlimited
and include aliphatic and alicyclic compounds containing one or more nitrosoamine
groups as substituents, such as dinitrosopentamethylenetetramine (DPT). Among these
nitrogen-containing compounds, azodicarbonamide has been used widely as a resin blowing
agent, and being of low fire-causing potential and low toxicity and, hence, least
likely to be hazardous, this compound is particularly suitable. These nitrogen-containing
compounds can be used either alone or in combination. Moreover, commercially available
nitrogen-containing compounds can liberally selected form a broad range. Generally,
it can be used as they are. There is no limitation on the form or grain size of the
nitrogen-containing compound and a suitable one can be selectively employed.
[0017] The oxidizing agent to be used in this invention is a halogen oxo acid salt. As the
halogen oxo acid salt, any of the known species can be employed. Preferred are halogenates
and perhalogenates and particularly preferred are the corresponding alkali metal salts.
The alkali metal halogenates include chlorates and bromates such as potassium chlorate,
sodium chlorate, potassium bromate and sodium bromate, among others. The alkali metal
perhalogenates include perchlorates and perbromates such as potassium perchlorate,
sodium perchlorate, potassium perbromate and sodium perbromate, among others. These
halogen oxo acid salts may be used alone or in combination. The amount of the halogen
oxo acid salt is generally stoichiometric, that is to say the amount necessary for
complete oxidation and combustion of the nitrogen-containing compound based on its
oxygen content, but since the burning velocity, combustion temperature and combustion
product composition can be freely controlled by varying the ratio of halogen oxo acid
salt to nitrogen-containing compound, its amount can be liberally selected from a
broad range. By way of illustration, about 20 - 200 parts by weight, preferably 30
- 200 parts by weight, of the halogen oxo acid salt can be used for each 100 parts
by weight of the nitrogen-containing compound. The form and grain size of the halogen
oxo acid are not particularly critical and can be selected in each case.
[0018] The composition of this invention may contain, within the range not affecting its
performance characteristics, at least one additive selected from the group consisting
of burning control catalysts, antidetonation agents and oxygen donor compounds in
addition to said two essential components.
[0019] The combustion control catalyst is a catalyst for adjusting the burning velocity,
which is one of the basic performance parameters, according to conditions of the intended
application, with safety parameters such as low shock ignition and non-detonation
properties and other basic performance parameters such as the gas output being fully
retained. Such combustion control catalyst includes, among others, the oxides, chlorides,
carbonates and sulfates of Group IV or Group VI elements of the periodic table of
the elements, cellulosic compounds and organic polymers. The oxides, chlorides, carbonates
and sulfates of Group IV or VI elements include ZnO, ZnCO₃, MnO₂, FeCl₃, CuO, Pb₃O₄,
PbO₂, PbO, Pb₂O₃, S, TiO₂, V₂O₅, CeO₂, Ho₂O₃, CaO₂, Yb₂O₃, Al₂(SO₄)₃, ZnSO₄, MnSO₄,
FeSO₄, etc. Among the cellulosic compounds mentioned above may be reckoned carboxymethylcellulose
and its ether, hydroxymethylcellulose and so on. The organic polymers mentioned above
include, among others, soluble starch, polyvinyl alcohol and its partial saponification
product, and so on. These combustion control catalysts can be used alone or in combination.
The amount of the combustion control catalyst is not critical and can be liberally
selected from a broad range. Generally, however, this catalyst is used in a proportion
of about 0.1 - 50 parts by weight, preferably about 0.2 - 10 parts by weight, based
on 100 parts by weight of the nitrogen-containing compound and halogen oxo acid salt
combined. The grain size of the combustion control catalyst is not critical and can
be appropriately selected.
[0020] The antidetonation agent is added for preventing the detonation which may occur when
the gas generating composition is involved in a fire in the course of production,
handling or transportation or subjected to an extraordinary impact. As the addition
of such antidetonation agent eliminates the risk of detonation, the safety of the
gas-generating composition in various stages of production, handling and transportation
can be further enhanced. As the antidetonation agent, a variety of known substances
can be utilized. Thus, for example, oxides such as bentonite, alumina, diatomaceous
earth, etc. and carbonates and bicarbonates of metals such as Na, K, Ca, Mg, Zn, Cu,
Al, etc. can be mentioned. The amount of such antidetonation agent is not critical
and can be liberally selected from a broad range. Generally, it can be used in a proportion
of about 5 - 30 parts by weight relative to 100 parts by weight of the nitrogen-containing
compound and halogen oxo acid salt combined.
[0021] The oxygen donor compound is effective in augmenting the O₂ concentration of the
combustion product gas liberated from the composition of this invention. The oxygen
donor compound is not critical in kind and a variety of known substances can be employed.
For example, CuO₂, K₂O₄, etc. can be mentioned. The amount of the oxygen donor compound
is not so critical and can be liberally selected. Generally, however, this donor can
be used in a proportion of about 10 - 100 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight
of the nitrogen-containing compound and halogen oxo acid salt combined.
[0022] The composition of this invention may further contain, within the range not affecting
its performance characteristics, a combustion temperature control agent and/or a burning
velocity control agent. The combustion temperature control agent includes the carbonates
and bicarbonates of metals such as Na, K, Ca, Mg, etc., among others. The burning
velocity control agent includes the sulfates of Al, Zn, Mn, Fe, etc., among others.
The proportion of such combustion temperature control agent and/or burning velocity
control agent may generally be about 10 parts by weight, preferably about 5 parts
by weight or less, based on 100 parts by weight of the nitrogen-containing compound
and halogen oxo acid salt combined.
[0023] Within the range not interfering with its performance characteristics, the composition
of this invention may further contain a variety of additives which are commonly used
in the conventional air bag gas generating compositions.
[0024] The composition of this invention can be manufactured by blending the above-mentioned
components. While the resulting mixture as such can be used as the gas generating
composition, it may be provided in the form of aolded composition. Such a molded composition
can be manufactured by the conventional procedure. For example, the composition of
this invention may be mixed with a binder in a suitable ratio and the mixture be molded.
The binder may be any binder that is routinely employed. The form of such molded composition
is not critical. Thus, it may be a pellet, disk, ball, bar, hollow cylinder, confetti
or tetrapod, for instance. It may be solid or porous (e.g. honeycomb-shaped). It is
also possible to process each component into a discrete preparation and mix them in
use.
[0025] The composition of this invention has the following advantages.
(a) The composition of this invention is remarkably low in toxicity and the potential
to cause a fire on decomposition or combustion. Therefore, the risk of hazards in
handling in the course of production is very low. It can be easily molded, too.
(b) The composition of this invention has a low shock sensitivity which is either
equivalent to or lower than that of the sodium azide-based gas generating composition
and is, therefore, is very safe.
(c) The composition of this invention is equivalent or superior to the sodium azide-based
gas generating composition in burning velocity and gas output.
(d) Like the sodium azide-based gas generating composition, the composition of this
invention has a relatively low combustion temperature so that it does not have the
risk of causing a burn to the passenger or a perforation or burning of the bag. In
addition, the level of toxic substances in the product gas is very low.
(e) Since the base nitrogen-containing compound of the composition of this invention
is not hygroscopic, it is not necessary to provide for the prevention of moisture
absorption.
(f) The composition of this invention can be produced at remarkably reduced cost.
(g) Compared with the prior art gas generating compositions, the composition of this
invention can be easily disposed of.
Best Mode of Practicing the Invention
[0026] The following examples are intended to describe this invention in further detail.
The chemical names of the compounds indicated by abbreviations or chemical formulas
in the examples are as follows.
- ADCA:
- azodicarbonamide
- DPT :
- dinitrosopentamethylenetetramine
- RDX :
- trimethylenetrinitramine
- HMX :
- tetramethylene tetranitramine
- NQ :
- nitroguanidine
Example 1
[0027] The nitrogen-containing compound and halogen oxo acid salt, with or without a combustion
control catalyst, were blended according to the formulas shown below in Table 1 to
provide compositions (No. 1 - No. 17) of this invention.
[0028] Using a hydraulic tablet machine, each of the above compositions of this invention
was compressed at 60 kg/cm² to prepare pellets (5 mm in diameter and 5.0 mm high)
and each pellet sample was subjected to the 7.5-liter bomb test. The results are shown
in Table 2.
[Bomb (or Vessel) test]
[0029] The procedure of the bomb test is now described with reference to Figs. 1 - 3.
1. Weigh out a predetermined amount of the sample (gas generating composition (9),
pellets of compositions Nos. 1 - 15 of this invention) to place it into a chamber
(1).
The chamber is provided in two sizes. The larger chamber measures 50 mm in inside
diameter and 50 mm high (Fig. 2) and the smaller chamber measures 30 mm in inside
diameter and 50 mm high (Fig. 3).
2. Fit up the chamber with a nozzle having a predetermined diameter (10) and an aluminum
rupture plate (11) (0.2 mm thick).
3. Set an ignitor (12) in the reaction chamber. The ignitor comprises a Saran® wrap
containing a mixture (2:8) of 0.3 or 1.0 g of boron and KNO₃ and a Ni-Cr wire coil
(13) (0.3 mm dia. x 100 mm long) passed through the wrap.
4. Cover the chamber and connect it to a gas trapping bomb (2).
5. Connect ignition leads (4) to electrodes (5) on the bomb cover.
6. Fix the bomb cover (3) on the bomb (2).
7. Connect the measuring circuit wiring.
8. After counting down, energize the ignitor and record the chamber and bomb time-pressure
curves and bomb internal temperature.
[0030] In Table 2, CP
max represents the maximum pressure (kg/cm²) in the reaction chamber, W
1/2 represents the time (msec) in which the internal pressure of the chamber travels
1/2 of the maximum pressure, BP
max represents the maximum pressure (kg/cm²) within the bomb, T₉₀ represents the time
(msec) in which the internal pressure of the bomb reaches 90% of the maximum pressure,
and BT
max represents the maximum temperature (°C) within the bomb. Among these parameters,
T₉₀ is a value simulating the inflation time of the air bag. CP
max is an index, the values of which indicate that the compositions of this invention
retain a satisfactory performance as gas generating compositions. W
1/2 is a parameter simulating the burning velocity of the gas generating composition
within the chamber. BP
max is a parameter indicating the gas generating capacity per unit mass of the gas generating
composition. BT
max is a parameter simulating the temperature of the gas in the fully inflated air bag.
Example 2
[0031] The nitrogen-containing compound and halogen oxo acid salt, with or without the combustion
control catalyst, were blended according to the formulas (wt. %) shown below in Table
3 to provide compositions of this invention.
[0032] Each of the compositions of this invention was subjected to the following shock ignitability
(sensitivity) test. As controls, the prior art gas generating compositions (NaN₃-KClO₄-Fe₃O₄
and NaN₃-CuO) were also subjected to the shock ignitiability test.
[Shock ignitiability test]
[0033] This test is designed to measure the degree of readiness of gas generating compositions
to be ignited by a shock (shock ignition sensitivity). The experimental procedure
is now described with reference to Figs. 4 - 7.
1. [Fig. 4]
Weigh 5 g of the sample powder (16) into a stainless steel test vessel (15). The
vessel (15) is a bottomed cylinder made of stainless steel (SUS 304) and measuring
31 mm in inner diameter, 36 mm in outer diameter, 2.5 mm thick and 55 mm high.
2. [Fig. 5]
Place polyethylene cards (17) of required thickness on the sample. The sum of the
thicknesses of these polyethylene cards (17) is called the gap length.
3. [Fig. 6]
Drill a hole, 6.5 mm in diameter, through two 1 mm-thick polyethylene cards (18),
set a detonator (19) in the hole and set the assembly in a stainless steel vessel
(15). The detonator used was Nippon Kayaku electric detonator No. 0.
4. [Fig. 7]
For testing any gas generating composition containing a hygroscopic gas generating
base (e.g. sodium aside), cover the stainless steel vessel (15) with paraffin (20)
for preventing the absorption of moisture.
5. Set this stainless steel vessel securely in a vice in an explosion dome and energize
to fire the detonator.
6. Observe whether the sample is ignited or not.
7. [Fig. 8]
If no ignition takes place at the gap length of 1 mm, set 20 g of sample powder
(16), insert the detonator D (19) into the sample, place a threaded lid (21) on the
stainless steel vessel (15), and perform the test. By this procedure, even a material
with a very low shock sensitivity can be ignited or exploded.
[0034] Table 3 shows the ignition limit gap length (ignitable up to that gap length) and
the non-ignition limit gap length (not ignitable beyond that gap length).
[0035] In this test, a greater critical gap length value represents a higher shock ignition
sensitivity. In other words, the greater the critical ignition gap length, the higher
is the shock ignition sensitivity and, hence, the risk of hazards.
[0036] It is clear from Table 3 that the shock sensitivity of the composition of this invention
is equal to or lower than that of the prior art composition, thus being as safe as
or safer than the latter.
Example 3
[0037] Azodicarbonamide (abbreviated as ADCA in the following table) and a halogen oxo acid
salt, with or without a combustion control catalyst, were blended according to the
formulas (wt. %) shown in Table 4 to provide compositions of this invention.
[0038] Using a hydraulic tablet machine, each of these compositions was compressed at 60
kg/cm² to prepare pellets (7.6 mm in diameter, 3 mm high) and the pellet sample was
subjected to the 7.5-liter bomb test described hereinbefore. The results are shown
in Table 4.
[0039] As a control, the prior art gas generating composition (NaN₃-CuO) was also subjected
to the 7.5-liter bomb test. The results are similarly shown in Table 4.
[0040] In this 7.5-liter bomb test, two 0.1 mm - thick aluminum plates were used as the
rupture plate to be attached to the chamber cover.
Example 4
[0041] An air bag inflator reactor was loaded with 20 g of pellets (12.3 mm dia. x 3 mm
thick) of the composition of this invention comprising 45 parts by weight of azodicarbonamide,
55 parts by weight of sodium chlorate and 2.75 parts by weight of MnO₂ and the loaded
inflator was connected to a 28.6-liter tank equipped with a pressure sensor. Using
1 g of B-KNO₃, the pellets were ignited for combustion. The maximum pressure within
the tank was 4.3 kgf/cm² gauge and the tank internal pressure rise time associated
with combustion of this composition was 50 msec.
[0042] As a control, 20 g of pellets (12.3 mm dia. x 3 mm thick) of the gas generating composition
suggested by Japanese Examined Patent Publication No. 21171/74, i.e. a composition
comprising 200 parts by weight of azodicarbonamide, 90 parts by weight of sodium chlorate
and 10 parts by weight of aluminum, were also subjected to the same tank test. As
a result, the rapid combustion of the ignitor alone was observed and the gas generating
composition was not as efficiently combusted. Moreover, the maximum ultimate pressure
in the tank was as low as 0.3 kgf/cm² gauge.
Example 5 and 6
[0043] Two-hundred (200) parts by weight of azodicarbonamide (abbreviated as ADCA in the
following table) was blended with 90 parts by weight of sodium chlorate to provide
a composition of this invention.
[0044] A control gas generating composition was prepared according to the suggestion made
in Japanese Examined Patent Publication No. 21171/74. Thus, 200 parts by weight of
azodicarbonamide was blended with 90 parts by weight of sodium chlorate and 10 parts
by weight of Zr powder to provide a control composition.
[0045] Each of the above compositions was molded into pellets (5 mm in diameter x 5.0 mm
high) in the same manner as Example 1 and the pellet samples were subjected to the
following nozzle-pipe combustion test and the shock ignitiability test. The results
are shown in Tables 5 and 6.
[Nozzle-pipe combustion test]
[0046]
1. Place 5 g of the gas generating composition in a flame-resistant steel vessel (a
hollow cylinder measuring 50 mm in inside diameter and 50 mm high), set a Ni-Cr wire
and cover the vessel. The cover is formed with an opening 7 mm in diameter.
2. Apply a voltage of 10 V across the Ni-Cr wire through a Slidac to ignite the gas
generating composition.
3. Initially a white smoke emerges from the opening and, then, the composition becomes
fired. The flame retention time (combustion time) from the ignition to extinguishment
of the flame is visually monitored and, at the same time, recorded with a video camera.
It is apparent from Table 5 that the addition of a reducing metal such as Zr increases
the risk potential of a gas generating composition. While the reaction (combustion)
of the composition of this invention occurs at low temperature without production
of a flame, the Zr-containing control composition is combusted with production of
a flame so that the temperature of the product of combustion (gas) is high. It is,
therefore, clear that it is not recommendable to add a reducing metal, such as Zr,
Al or Mg, to the composition of this invention.
[0047] It is clear from Table 6 that the Zr-containing control composition is combusted
with production of a flame so that the temperature of the reaction product (gas) is
high.
Example 7
[0048] To investigate its combustibility, the composition of this invention was subjected
to the strand burner test (cf. "Combustion characteristics of sodium azide gas generating
systems", the Proceedings of the 1992 Annual Meeting of the Industrial Explosives
Association, Pages 98-99).
1. First, 55 parts by weight of azodicarbonamide was blended with 55 parts by weight
of sodium perchlorate and 5 parts by weight of zinc oxide to provide a composition
of this invention.
2. This composition was compression-molded into a rectangular piece (8 mm x 5 mm x
50 mm)(pressure: 1.25 t/cm²) and the sides of this piece were coated with a silicone
resin to prepare a testpiece with a restriction.
3. The test was performed using a chimney-type strand combustion tester. For measurement,
two holes (0.6 mm in diameter) were drilled in the testpiece at a spacing of about
40 mm and after passage of fuses (0.5 mm in diameter), the testpiece was rigidly set
in the tester.
4. After the temperature was set to the testing temperature (20°C) in this condition,
the testpiece was ignited with a Ni-Cr wire from above for combustion and the burning
velocity (mm/sec.) was calculated from the difference between the fusion times of
the two fuses and the distance between the holes.
5. The above measurement was carried out under the pressures of 10, 20 and 40 kgf/cm².
[0049] The measured burning velocities were 28.3 mm/sec. at 10 kgf/cm², 37.9 mm/sec. at
20 kgf/cm², and 46.0 mm/sec. at 40 kgf/cm².
Example 8
[0050] Using the composition of this invention as prepared by blending 30 parts by weight
of azodicarbonamide with 70 parts by weight of sodium perchlorate, the burning velocity
(mm/sec.) was measured as in Example 8. No ignition occurred at 10 kgf/cm². At 40
kgf/cm², the burning velocity was 48.3 mm/sec.
Example 9
[0051] An air bag inflator reactor was loaded with 40 g of pellets (12.3 mm in diameter
x 3 mm thick) of the composition of this invention as obtained by blending 45 parts
by weight of azodicarbonamide with 55 parts by weight of potassium perchlorate and
10 parts by weight of copper oxide and this inflator was connected to a 28.6-liter
tank equipped with a pressure sensor. The pellets were ignited with 1 g of B-KNO₃
for combustion of the composition of this invention. As a result, there was obtained
a time-pressure curve similar to that obtained with 80 g of the prior art gas generating
composition (NaN₃:KClO₄:Fe₃O₄ = 60:10:30) in a 28.6 liter tank.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0052] Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section view showing the gas trapping bomb used in the bomb
test. Figs. 2 and 3 are diagrammatic illustrations showing the chamber mounted in
the gas trapping bomb on exaggerated scale. Figs. 4-7 are diagrammatic representations
of the procedure of the shock sensitivity test.
- 1.
- Chamber Reactor
- 2.
- Gas trapping bomb
- 3.
- Bomb cover
- 4.
- Leads
- 5.
- Electrodes
- 6.
- Thermocouple
- 7.
- Pressure sensor
- 8.
- Gas vent
- 9.
- Gas generating composition
- 10.
- Nozzle
- 11.
- Aluminum rupture plate
- 12.
- Ignitor
- 13.
- Ni-Cr wire
- 14.
- Pressure sensor
- 15.
- Stainless steel vessel
- 16.
- Sample powder
- 17.
- Polyethylene card
- 18.
- Polyethylene card
- 19.
- Detonator
- 20.
- Paraffin
- 21.
- Threaded cover