Utilization of propellants for inflator and belt restraint systems

A review, with 6 refs., of the development of propellant-gas generators for automobile airbags, with emphasis on sodium azide (NaN3)-based and azide-free formulations (i.e., nitrocellulose- contg. and double-base propellants). Topics discussed include requirements of gas generators, reactions of com. inflator systems, exptl. results (e.g., impact and friction sensitivity, chem. stability), testing, service life detn. of nitrocellulose (based on depletion of diphenylamine stabilizer), measurement of combustion gas vol., combustion in 60-L vessel with gas and solids anal., hyroscopicity, bonfire testing, and disposal of gas generators.