Pyrotechnical gas generators are a research area of the ICT department Energetic Systems. They are reactive, solid mixtures which, on reaction, release a large volume of gas in relation to their solid volume. The success of gas generators in airbag systems has also opened the door to other application possibilities. Examples include safety technology - with an emphasis on protection against fire and explosion - safety and stabilisation on impact, compound separation, movement generation (acceleration, turning, compression etc.), the expulsion of powders and liquids, and energy and pressure gas provision without an external supply. The technical advantages of pyrotechnical gas generator systems result from their properties, including their small installation size, light weight, low maintenance, and their time-adjustable gas volume flow with no pre-stressed pressure gas system.

Current research work is concentrated on airbag systems, the rapid forming and cutting of sheet metals, and extinguishing systems. The wide range of applications for pyrotechnical gas generators each have different requirements concerning gas volume, gas production rate and environmental aspects. The adjustability of the gas generator units in terms of their chemical composition, shape, and the presence of catalysts or inhibitors, allows these specifications, as well as application-specific quality and authorisation requirements, to be met. We develop and test tailored gas generators for your applications.