Airbag Induced Skin Burns and Abrasions
The skin on the forearms, thighs, chest, neck and face is vulnerable to airbag induced burns and abrasions. The degree of these injuries is established based on the depth of injury from the outer epidermis layer to the underlying subcutaneous tissues. Currently, surrogate skin materials are being developed for use in airbag development research. In addition, advanced injury evaluation techniques are being developed to assist manufacturers and suppliers in the design of the airbag material and construction. These techniques, combined with the surrogate skin material, will allow for injury evaluation of new airbag designs.
Virginia Tech / Wake Forest University Center for Injury Biomechanics