Automotive Systems Laboratory, Inc.

Patrick C Kwong

Donald R Poole

Composition and process for inflating an automobile or aircraft occupant safety restraint bag which reduces the toxicity of the gases produced by gas generants. A relatively low energy nitrogen containing fuel is combined with a burn rate accelerator, such as an alkali metal salt, to form an azide-free gas generant composition which lowers the combustion temperature of the gas generants while also maintaining a rapid burn rate, thereby reducing toxicity of the resultant gases.

Azide-free gas generant compositions and processes

Autoigniting compositions containing a hydrazine salt of 3-nitro-1,2,4-triazole-5-one for the gas generator of a vehicle occupant restraint system result in rapid autoignition at temperatures from approximately 150.degree. C. (302.degree. F.) to 220.degree. C. (428.degree. F.) thereby allowing the gas generator to operate at lower temperatures to facilitate use of an aluminum canister. The autoignition compositions of the present invention are relatively insensitive to shock or impact, are safe to manufacture and handle, and are advantageously classified as Class B materials.

Growing community of inventors

Seattle, WA, United States of America

Patrick C Kwong