Introduction

In 2014, Takata, one of the largest automotive safety equipment manufacturers, recalled millions of airbags for passenger vehicles. In the 1990's, a new alternative for airbag propellant was necessary when it was decided that Sodium Azide was unsafe to handle in the manufacturing process. Takata, despite warnings, chose to use Ammonium Nitrate in their inflator systems. These inflators had a severe design flaw that allowed moisture inside. Historically, we know Ammonium Nitrate is extrememly unsafe in moist environments.

This moisture degraded the propellant and often rusted the internals of the metal inflator. If the now damaged airbag went off, the inflator would propel dangerous shrapnel into the vehicle's cabin. This design flaw has caused over 290 injuries, about 25 deaths(17 of which in the USA).