When the frontal airbags are to deploy, a signal is sent to the inflator unit within the airbag control unit. An igniter starts a rapid chemical reaction generating primarily nitrogen gas (N2) to fill the airbag making it deploy through the module cover. Some airbag technologies use compressed nitrogen or argon gas with a pyrotechnic operated valve ("hybrid gas generator"), while other technologies use various energetic propellants. Although propellants containing the highly toxic sodium azide (NaN3) were common in early inflator designs, little to no toxic sodium azide has been found on used airbags.
when the frontal airbags are to deploy a signal is sent to the inflator unit within the airbag control unit an igniter starts a rapid chemical reaction generating primarily nitrogen gas (n2) to fill the airbag making it deploy through the module cover some airbag technologies use compressed nitrogen or argon gas with a pyrotechnic operated valve ("hybrid gas generator") while other technologies use various energetic propellants although propellants containing the highly toxic sodium azide (nan3) were common in early inflator designs little to no toxic sodium azide has been found on used airbags