This practice is intended to be a general guideline for repetitive testing, safe conduct of tests, and accurate data collection for inflatable restraints. Cushion overpressurization testing may be used for design and production validation, for manufacturing process control, for lot acceptance, or for a combination thereof.

This practice constitutes the conditions, apparatus, and procedures by which inflatable restraints are commonly tested for cushion overpressurization. It is intended to be used as a guideline in establishing a cushion specification or equivalent document. The practices in the specification may deviate from the practices described herein when (based on experience) considerations of equipment, cushion design, or other factors dictate otherwise.

There exists a large variety in cushion configurations and equipment designs, obviating a standard test method for cushion overpressurization. Therefore, a cushion specification should incorporate the practices stated herein when describing a test method for testing a specific cushion geometry and apparatus design. To ensure accuracy and repeatability, the specification should also address precision and bias in a manner consistent with ASTM prescribed procedures and consistent with the particular cushion geometry, equipment in use, and test procedures.

Sources of variation in cushion overpressurization testing procedures include orifice size, attachment fixture, sensor location, method of attachment, presence or absence of internal bladder, accumulator size and pressure, transducer type and location, the presence or absence of tethers, presence or absence of vent plugs, and the accuracy of timing devices and pressure sensors. All sources of equipment and procedural variation should be addressed in the applicable specification.

In accordance with the applicable specification, cushions may be pressurized without bursting to determine their resistance to a fixed level of high internal pressure, or they may be subjected to increasing pressures to determine their ultimate bursting strength.

1.1 This practice covers the procedures and conditions used to evaluate the physical performance of inflatable restraint cushions during and after overpressurization testing at elevated pressures capable of causing cushion bursting using air pressurization equipment.

1.2 The physical performance characteristics that may be obtained in conjunction with this practice are internal cushion pressures determined by instrumentation and material integrity, determined by visual inspection.

1.3 This practice is applicable to all inflatable restraint cushions.

1.4 Procedures and apparatus other than those stated in this practice may be used by agreement between purchaser and supplier with the specific deviations from this practice acknowledged in the report.

1.5 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each system are not exact equivalents; therefore, each system must be used independently of the other.

1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. See Section 8 for specific hazard information.