When Automobiles Go KaBoom!; Automotive Explosives / Airbags

1. When Automobiles
Go KaBoom!
Rahul Iyer, ASQ-CQE, CC
Sergeant-At-Arms, Maverick Toastmasters Mesa / Gilbert AZ, USA
Project 2: Resources For Informing
Manual: Speaking To Inform
13 October 2015

2. Automotive Explosives

Automobiles have explosive devices on
them

They are utilized for safety (passive
restraint system)

Every automobile in the USA is required
to have them by law

3. History of the Automotive
Airbag

German and American Invention

Walter Linderer, Germany; November 12, 1953

John Hetrick, US Navy, USA; August 18, 1953

Further development by the Japanese in the
1960s

Adopted by automotive industry in the 1970s

US Federal requirement for cars produced after 1
April 1989 (original regulation issued in 1984)

Also applied in other industries

4. Injury Reduction by Airbags+Safety
Belts vs Safety Belts Alone
From:
The Chemistry Behind Airbags
Rachel Casiday and Regina Frey
Department of Chemistry
Washington University
St. Louis, Missouri

5. Airbag Design & Chemistry
Gas-
Generator
Reaction
Reactant
s
Products
Initial
Reaction
Triggered
by Sensor
NaN3
Na
N2 (g)
Second
Reaction
Na
KNO3
K2
O
Na2
O
N2 (g)
Final
Reaction
K2
O
Na2
O
SiO2
alkaline
silicate
(glass)

6. Conclusion

Definition of an Automotive Explosive
/ Airbag

History of the Airbag With Effectiveness
Regarding Safety

Design and Technical Aspects of Airbags

7. Conclusion

Definition of an Automotive Explosive
/ Airbag

History of the Airbag With Effectiveness
Regarding Safety

Design and Technical Aspects of Airbags