Uncoated Polyester Airbag Fabric With Hydrolysis-Resistant Catalyst Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Polyester fibers used in airbags are susceptible to degradation in hygrothermal environments, leading to poor thermal stability and increased costs due to the use of expensive nylon 6,6 fibers, which are not suitable for airbags involving human safety.

Innovation Solution

A polyester fabric for uncoated airbags is developed using a catalyst system comprising an aluminum compound and a phosphorus compound, with a solvent extraction rate of 0.1% or less, and a phosphorus catalyst concentration of 10 ppm or more, ensuring an acid value increase rate of 150% or less after treatment at 121°C and 100% relative humidity, while complying with flammability standards.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If polyester fiber is used to reduce cost, then yarn cost is reduced, but thermal stability and hydrolysis resistance deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveyarn costVSAvoidthermal stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the catalyst parameters used in polyester fiber production, specifically using a phosphorus-based catalyst instead of conventional metal catalysts. This parameter change in the manufacturing process achieves both cost reduction and improved thermal stability with hydrolysis resistance exceeding 150% after aging treatment at 121°C and 100% humidity for 24 hours.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If polyester fiber with improved hydrolysis resistance is developed, then aging performance is improved, but thermal stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehydrolysis resistanceVSAvoidthermal stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The invention modifies the catalyst system parameters by using phosphorus-based catalysts at controlled concentrations (10-50 ppm), achieving hydrolysis resistance of 150% or more while maintaining thermal stability that passes FMVSS No. 302 flammability tests, thus resolving the trade-off between these two properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Quantity of substance

If polyester fabric is used for airbags, then cost is reduced, but mechanical characteristics after aging deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefabric costVSAvoidmechanical characteristics after aging
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the catalyst parameters in polyester fiber production to phosphorus-based catalysts, resulting in fabric that maintains tensile strength of 80% or more after aging treatment, compared to conventional polyester that shows significant degradation. This parameter change in the manufacturing process ensures mechanical characteristics are maintained while reducing cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The polyester fabric maintains high mechanical characteristics and thermal stability over time, comparable to polyamide fabrics, while reducing costs and meeting safety standards for airbag applications.

Implementation Method 1

a polyester fiber that has hydrolysis resistance of 150% or more after a treatment at 121° C. and 100% relative humidity for 24 hours

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrolysis resistance: Hydrolysis

Implementation Method 2

the fabric has a solvent extraction rate of 0.1% or less, and a phosphorus catalyst concentration of 10 ppm or more, and an aluminum catalyst concentration of 5 ppm or more

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCatalysis: Catalysis

Data Source

PatentUS20240026578A1Non-coated polyester base fabric for airbag
Publication Date: 2024.01.25 TOYOBO CO LTD

AI summary

An object of the present invention is to provide a polyester fabric for airbags using a polyester fiber capable of reducing costs, maintaining the mechanical characteristics as a fiber for airbags, maintaining the mechanical characteristics at high levels even after aging, and simultaneously complying with the standard of the FMVSS No. 302 flammability test. The polyester fabric for uncoated airbags according to the present invention has an acid value increase rate of 150% or less, and a solvent extraction rate of 0.1% or less.