A new methodology for investigating airbag-induced skin abrasions

Although airbags have been shown to reduce the incidence of life-threatening injuries, they have increased the risk of minor injuries such as those to the skin. Based on the distribution of injuries that can be directly attributed to the airbag itself, it is believed that shear loading exists as a mechanism for these skin injuries. The purpose of this study was to develop a new methodology designed to assess the injury potential from different types of airbag with respect to shear loading. This new methodology utilized a high-speed impactor to accelerate the airbag fabric past a sample of skin. Contact normal forces were monitored by the use of pressure sensors, and fabric velocity was determined from a high-speed video. The abraded skin samples were analysed using light microscopic analysis and ultraviolet light source photography. A new abrasion rating method was developed called the total abrasion score, which allows for quantifiable differentiation between the abrasions caused by different airbag fabric and seam types.