What gas is inside the airbag?
2 Answers
Airbags are filled with nitrogen gas. An airbag refers to a specific bag installed in a vehicle that is inflated with a certain gas, which immediately deploys during an accident to provide protection. The function of a car airbag is to protect passengers by reducing impact with interior objects, more evenly distributing the collision force on the head and chest, and absorbing the kinetic energy of the passengers, thereby supplementing the effectiveness of seat belts. The airbag consists of a sensor for inflation and an inflation system. Its working principle is that the sensor system continuously sends speed change information to the control unit, which analyzes and evaluates this information.
I understand everyone is curious about what gas is inside the airbag—it’s mostly nitrogen. Normally, the airbag is folded up, but when the vehicle experiences a severe collision, sensors trigger an internal device to ignite a solid chemical compound (usually sodium azide), rapidly producing a large amount of nitrogen gas within milliseconds. Nitrogen is stable, non-flammable, and non-explosive, allowing it to safely and quickly inflate the airbag to form a cushion, protecting the passenger’s head and chest from injury. Though the process may seem simple, it’s designed with extreme precision, and the related technology undergoes countless tests to ensure safety and reliability. Seeing frequent news about car accidents reminds me to always wear a seatbelt in combination with the airbag for dual protection, which is more effective. Remember, airbags aren’t a one-time concern—don’t neglect regular checks of your vehicle’s safety systems during maintenance.
