How is ammonium nitrate used in airbags?
Most of the recalled inflators use ammonium nitrate to create a small explosion and inflate the air bags. But the chemical deteriorates when exposed to high temperatures and humidity and can burn too fast, blowing apart the canister designed to contain the explosion.
What was the chemical reaction in Takata airbags?
The thermal decomposition of ammonium nitrate into water vapor and nitrous oxide is the reaction that Takata used to inflate the airbags that eventually were recalled.
What propellant is used in airbags?
nitrogen gas
The airbag’s inflation system reacts sodium azide (NaN3) with potassium nitrate (KNO3) to produce nitrogen gas. Hot blasts of the nitrogen inflate the airbag.
Why did Takata use ammonium nitrate?
Alby Berman, a spokesman for Takata, said the switch to an ammonium-nitrate-based propellant was not driven by cost considerations. Instead, the company’s engineers determined that the compound produced gas more efficiently with fewer emissions.
What chemical is used to inflate airbags?
Instead of transporting compressed gas in the car to inflate the airbag, we take advantage of a very fast reaction that produces the needed gas. Many car airbag inflators contain small amounts of a toxic molecule called sodium azide, or NaN3 (one sodium atom and three nitrogen atoms combined).
What is another use of ammonium nitrate?
Ammonium nitrate is used commonly in fertilizers; in pyrotechniques, herbicides, and insecticides; and in the manufacture of nitrous oxide. It is used as an absorbent for nitrogen oxides, an ingredient of freezing mixtures, an oxidizer in rocket propellants, and a nutrient for yeast and antibiotics.
What type of reaction occurs when airbag inflates?
The chemical at the heart of the air bag reaction is called sodium azide, or NaN3. CRASHES trip sensors in cars that send an electric signal to an ignitor. The heat generated causes sodium azide to decompose into sodium metal and nitrogen gas, which inflates the car’s air bags.
What is the chemical used in airbags?
Sodium azide
Sodium azide is best known as the chemical found in automobile airbags. An electrical charge triggered by automobile impact causes sodium azide to explode and convert to nitrogen gas inside the airbag.
What is airbag material made of?
The airbag itself is typically made of nylon. Either nitrogen or argon gas is used to inflate an airbag. Both of these gases are non-toxic. Immediately after a deployment, “smoke-like” residue will be present in the air.
Do I have a Takata airbag?
Just enter your vehicle identification number (VIN) to check if your vehicle is part of the Takata recall. You can identify your VIN by looking at your vehicle registration documents or by looking into the lower driver side corner of your windshield.
Why do Takata airbags fail?
Regulators determined that the potentially deadly flaw in the Takata airbag lies in the airbag’s propellant. To inflate the airbags, Takata used an ammonium nitrate compound without a drying agent. However, this propellant can burn too fast and cause the inflator to explode.
What is the powder that comes out of an airbag?
Sodium azide is best known as the chemical found in automobile airbags. An electrical charge triggered by automobile impact causes sodium azide to explode and convert to nitrogen gas inside the airbag.