GAS GENERATING COMPOSITIONS

• US 20020007885A1
• Filed: 12/15/1998
• Published: 01/24/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/13/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: NOF Corporation
• Original Assignee: NOF Corporation
• Inventors: TAKAHASHI, KATSUHIKO, SERIZAWA, KAZUYA, NAKAMICHI, KENJI
• Granted Patent: US 6,368,432 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 149/46
• CPC Class Codes: C06B 31/30 with vegetable matter; with resin; with rubber
• CPC Class Codes: C06B 45/00 Compositions or products which are defined by structure or arrangement of component of product explosive charges of particular form or shape F42B1/00, F42B3/00
• CPC Class Codes: C06D 5/06 by reaction of two or more solids

Abstract

A gas generating composition for generating gas by a combustion reaction to inflate, for example, an airbag. The gas generating composition includes an oxidant and crystalline carbon powder that reacts with the oxidant. The oxidant is preferably ammonium nitrate. The crystalline carbon powder is preferably activated carbon powder. The gas generating composition preferably includes a high energy substance, binder and plasticizer.

Claims

1. A gas generating composition for generating gas by a combustion reaction, wherein the gas generating composition comprises:

an oxidant; and

carbon powder that reacts with the oxidant.

2. A gas generating composition according to claim 1, wherein the oxidant is ammonium nitrate.

3. A gas generating composition according to claim 1, wherein the carbon powder is activated carbon powder.

4. A gas generating composition according to claim 1, wherein the carbon powder has a specific surface area of 700 to 1600 m²/g.

5. A gas generating composition according to claim 1, wherein the carbon powder has a specific surface area of 800 to 1500 m²/g.

6. A gas generating composition according to claim 1, wherein the carbon powder has a specific surface area of 900 to 1300 m²/g.

7. A gas generating composition according to claim 2, wherein ammonium nitrate consists 93 to 99 wt % of the total weight of the ammonium nitrate and the carbon powder.

8. A gas generating composition according to claim 2, wherein the ammonium nitrate consists 94 to 98 wt % of the total weight of the ammonium nitrate and the carbon powder.

9. A gas generating composition according to claim 2, wherein the ammonium nitrate consists 94 to 96 wt % of the total weight of the ammonium nitrate and the carbon powder.

10. A gas generating composition according to claim 1, wherein the gas generating composition further comprises a high energy substance to increase the burn rate of the gas generating composition.

11. A gas generating composition according to claim 1, wherein the gas generating composition further comprises a plasticizer and a binder to respectively improve moldability and mechanical properties of the gas generating composition.

12. A gas generating composition according to claim 2, wherein the ammonium nitrate is in powder form, wherein each powder particle is produced in order to inhibit its crystal structural change as the surrounding temperature change.

13. A gas generating composition according to claim 2, wherein the ammonium nitrate is in powder form, wherein each powder particle is surface coated to prevent moisture absorption.

14. A method of preparing a gas generating composition that generates gas by a combustion reaction, wherein the method comprises:

mixing materials, which include oxidant and carbon powder, wherein the mixing includes adding organic solvent to the materials to improve the moldability of the mixture; and

extruding the mixture into a predetermined shape.

15. A method according to claim 14, wherein the oxidant is ammonium nitrate.

16. A method according to claim 14, wherein the carbon powder is activated carbon powder.

17. A method according to claim 14, wherein the carbon powder has a specific surface area of 700 to 1600 m²/g.

18. A method according to claim 14, wherein ammonium nitrate consists 93 to 99 wt % of a total weight of ammonium nitrate and the carbon powder.

19. A method according to claim 15, wherein the ammonium nitrate is in powder form, wherein the method further includes stabilizing ammonium nitrate powder particle to inhibit its crystal structural change as the surrounding temperature change.

20. A method according to claim 15, wherein ammonium nitrate is in powder form, and wherein the method further includes surface coating each powder particle of ammonium nitrate to prevent moisture absorption.