Life time determination of a double base propellant for inflator systems

The life time of a double base propellant for air bag systems was determined by investigating the aging behavior of the propellant. During the isothermal storage of the propellant at different temperatures between 90 degree Celsius and 70 degree Celsius, the weight loss and the stabilizer decrease was measured. In this way the safe use life time could be determined. Using these values, it was possible to extrapolate the life time of the gas generator for a given mean temperature or a temperature profile.