Dow Corning Corporation provides fabric coaters and airbag manufacturers with material and service solutions that enable them to meet not only changing requirements for airbag design, foldability, cushioning capability and hold-up time but also cost-in-use and processing requirements.

At Airbag 2006 this December, two Dow Corning Airbag Market group experts will offer a poster comparing coating technologies including silicone, polyurethane (PU) and silicone-PU.

Europe Textiles Technical Specialist Graham D. Budden and North America Textiles Technical Specialist William R. Blackwood will present “Comparison of Inflatable Curtain Coatings: Silicones, Polyurethanes and Silicone-Polyurethanes.” The poster will review and compare the technologies used in fabric coating for rollover inflatable curtains airbags. It also will discuss specific test methods used by Dow Corning for airbag innovation (aging, humidity and heat resistance, flammability, etc.).

Since they were introduced more than 20 years ago, front passenger airbags have become standard equipment in most new vehicles. Their success has led to increased demand for even more efficient safety systems – namely, curtain airbags for protection against rollover and side-impact crashes.

The market has taken two basic manufacturing approaches to inflatable curtains: one-piece woven (OPW) systems and seam-sealed sewn systems, both of which rely heavily on fabric coating technology. This growing emphasis on inflatable curtains has dramatically changed the role of coatings in the airbag market. Issues of enhanced adhesion, sealing, coat weight, flammability and performance degradation over time have led some in the industry to support lowering or changing current performance standards.

Rather than compromise on safety, Dow Corning has vigorously pursued innovative silicone solutions that allow manufacturers to deliver products that meet regulatory and consumer needs.

Airbag 2006, the 8th International Symposium and Exhibition on Sophisticated Car Occupant Safety Systems, will take place December 4 through 6 at the Congress Center in Karlsruhe, Germany. The poster will be on display for the duration of the event.