Patent ID: 6458412
Filing Date: 2002-10-01
Classification: B60R,D06N,Y10T

Abstract:
A method of producing a coated airbag fabric comprising the steps of(a) providing an uncoated fabric; (b) coating at least a portion of said fabric of step â€œaâ€  with a solvent-diluted composition comprising microsphere materials selected from the group consisting of pre-expanded microspheres, non-expandable microspheres, and any mixtures thereof, and at least one gas permeability reducing material; said coating step being performed by utilization of a gap (floating) knife technique wherein the knife is located at a height above the target fabric surface greater than the greatest diameter of the utilized microsphere materials in order to ensure said microspheres fill the interstitial spaces as well as sufficiently cover the raised yarns of the target fabric; and (c) subjecting said coated fabric of step â€œbâ€  to sufficient heat first to evaporate said solvent and second to cure said gas permeability reducing material; wherein the coated portion of said coated fabric exhibits a retained strength after heat exposure in excess of a coated fabric coated with the same type of coating but free from any microsphere materials.