Two-layer coating system for airbag fabrics

• US 6,177,366 B1
• Filed: 07/09/1999
• Issued: 01/23/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 06/17/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Milliken & Company
• Original Assignee: Milliken & Company
• Inventors: Li, Shulong
• Primary Examiner(s): Morris, Terrel
• Assistant Examiner(s): SINGH-PANDEY, ARTI R
• Application Number:
  US09/350,620
• Time in Patent Office: 564 Days
• Field of Search: 280/728.1, 493/243, 425/27, 425/35, 425/43, 428/35.7, 428/36.1, 428/36.6, 428/36.7, 442/71, 442/81, 442/82, 442/157, 442/167, 442/168, 442/169, 442/170, 442/171, 442/173, 442/174
• US Class Current: 442/71
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/12 next to a fibrous or filamentary layer
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23514 coated fabric
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/232 Curtain-type airbags deploying mainly in a vertical direction from their top edge
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/235 characterised by their material
• CPC Class Codes: D06N 3/183 the layers are one next to the other
• CPC Class Codes: D06N 3/186 one of the layers is on one surface of the fibrous web and the other layer is on the other surface of the fibrous web
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/1352 Polymer or resin containing [i.e., natural or synthetic]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/1362 Textile, fabric, cloth, or pile containing [e.g., web, net, woven, knitted, mesh, nonwoven, matted, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/1379 Contains vapor or gas barrier, polymer derived from vinyl chloride or vinylidene chloride, or polymer containing a vinyl alcohol unit
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/1383 Vapor or gas barrier, polymer derived from vinyl chloride or vinylidene chloride, or polymer containing a vinyl alcohol unit is sandwiched between layers [continuous layer]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/2098 At least two coatings or impregnations of different chemical composition
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/218 Organosilicon containing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/2803 Polymeric coating or impregnation from a silane or siloxane not specified as lubricant or water repellent
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/2885 Coated or impregnated acrylic fiber fabric
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/2893 Coated or impregnated polyamide fiber fabric
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/2902 Aromatic polyamide fiber fabric
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/291 Coated or impregnated polyolefin fiber fabric
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/2918 Polypropylene fiber fabric
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/2934 Coating or impregnation contains vinyl polymer or copolymer
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 442/2943 Vinyl acetate polymer or copolymer

Abstract

This invention relates to novel airbag coating compositions comprising at least two separate and distinct layers. The first layer (base coat), being in contact with the airbag surface. comprises a composition of at least one coating material which may comprise up to 30% by parts of the total amount of material in the first layer of a silicone resin which provides excellent adhesion, excellent tensile strength, and overall lower cost than standard silicone airbag coating materials. The second layer, being a coating for the first layer, provides excellent reinforcement and aging characteristics to prevent degradation of the first layer. Such a second layer (topcoat) is preferably a silicone material. This two-layer system permits excellent strength and aging properties to prevent seam combing at relatively low cost due to the inexpensive basecoat materials and the relatively low amount required for the topcoat. An airbag fabric coated with this inventive two-layer system is also contemplated within this invention.

Claims

1. An airbag fabric comprising a coating applied to at least a portion of the surface of said airbag fabric, wherein said coating comprises at least two layers wherein the first layer is in contact with at least a portion of the airbag fabric and is a coating composition comprising a silicone resin in an amount of no more than about 30% by total parts of said first layer coating composition and a non-silicone component and the second layer is a coating for at least a portion of said first layer and is at least one material providing sufficient aging stability for the first later selected from the group consisting of at least one non-silicone compound and at least one silicone compound.

2. The airbag of claim 1 wherein said non-silicone coating material of said first layer is at least compound selected from the group consisting of polyurethane, polyacrylate, butyl rubber, EPDM, chloroprene, neoprene, polyamide, hydrogenated nitrile rubber, ethylene-vinylacetate copolymers, and any mixtures or dispersions thereof.

3. The airbag fabric of claim 2 wherein said second layer is comprised of at least one silicone compound.

4. An airbag comprising the airbag fabric of claim 3.

5. The airbag fabric of claim 2 wherein said first layer is applied to the airbag fabric in an amount of from about 0.6 to about 1.5 ounces/square yard.

6. The airbag fabric of claim 2 wherein said first layer is applied to the airbag fabric in an amount of from about 0.3 to about 2.5 ounces/square yard and wherein said second layer is applied over at least a portion said first layer in an amount of from about 0.3 to about 2.5 ounces/square yard.

7. The airbag fabric of claim 2 wherein said first layer is formed from a dispersion of polyacrylate and polyurethane.

8. The airbag fabric of claim 2 wherein said second layer is a silicone resin.

9. An airbag comprising the airbag fabric of claim 2.

10. The airbag fabric of claim 1 wherein said first layer is a water-borne dispersion.

11. An airbag comprising the airbag fabric of claim 10.

12. The airbag fabric of claim 1 wherein the silicone resin of said first layer is present.

13. The airbag fabric of claim 12 wherein said silicone resin is present within said first layer in an amount of from about 5 to about 12% by total amount of parts of said first layer material.

14. The airbag fabric of claim 1 wherein said first layer further comprises a compound selected from the group consisting of at least one fluoropolymer and at least one fluoromonomer-containing copolymer.

15. An airbag comprising the airbag fabric of claim 14.

16. The airbag fabric of claim 1 wherein said first layer is applied to the airbag fabric in an amount of from about 0.3 to about 2.5 ounces/square yard.

17. An airbag comprising the airbag fabric of claim 16.

18. The airbag fabric of claim 1 wherein the non-silicone component of said first layer coating material exhibits a tensile strength of greater than 600 psi and an elongation at break of between 100 and 600% of its original length.

19. An airbag comprising the airbag fabric of claim 1.