Azide gas generant formulations

• US 4,836,255 A
• Filed: 02/19/1988
• Issued: 06/06/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 02/19/1988
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Autoliv ASP Incorporated (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Morton Thiokol, Inc.
• Inventors: Taylor, Robert D., Schneiter, Fred E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lechert, Jr., Stephen J.
• Application Number:
  US07/158,180
• Time in Patent Office: 473 Days
• Field of Search: 149/35, 149/61, 149/45, 149/43, 280/741, 280/727
• US Class Current: 149/35
• CPC Class Codes: C06B 35/00 Compositions containing a metal azide
• CPC Class Codes: C06D 5/06 by reaction of two or more solids

Abstract

A gas generant composition especially adapted for inflating automotive airbags in the event of a vehicle collision to protect the occupants of the vehicle from injury. The composition consists essentially of 65-74% alkali metal azide; 10-28% ferric oxide; 6-16% sodium nitrate; 0.1-2% fumed silica; and 0-2% molybdenum disulfide. The composition burns at from about 1.2 to about 1.7 inches per second (about 3.0 to about 4.3 cm/sec).

Claims

1. An airbag gas generant composition consisting essentially of

A. from 65 to 74 percent by weight of an alkali metal azide;

B. from 10 to 28 percent by weight ferric oxide;

C. from 5 to 16 percent by weight sodium nitrate;

D. from 0.1 to 2 percent by weight hydrophobic fumed silica; and

E. from 0 to 2 percent by weight molybdenum disulfide;

said composition having a burning rate of from about 3.0 to about 4.3 centimeters per second.