What quality inspections need to be carried out after the lumbar support airbag is welded

The quality inspection of the lumbar support airbag after welding is a key link to ensure the safety and functionality of the product. It requires a comprehensive assessment from multiple dimensions such as air tightness, mechanical properties, appearance, size and material characteristics. The following are the specific testing items and methods:

I. Air Tightness Testing
Purpose: Ensure no leakage after inflation and maintain normal operation.
Methods:

  1. Pressure Decay Method

    • Inflate the airbag to rated pressure (e.g., 100-150 kPa), seal the valve, and monitor pressure changes.
    • Failure criteria: Pressure drop exceeding specified limits (e.g., ≤5%/hour).
  2. Bubble Method

    • Submerge the inflated airbag in water and observe for bubbles.
    • Suitable for rapid detection of minor leaks.
  3. Helium Tracer Method

    • Use helium as a tracer gas and detect leaks via mass spectrometry (high sensitivity).
      Standards: Leak rate thresholds per product specifications or industry standards (e.g., ISO 16750).

II. Mechanical Performance Testing
Purpose: Verify strength and durability of welded joints to prevent failure during repeated inflation/deflation.
Methods:

  1. Burst Pressure Test

    • Gradually increase internal pressure until rupture.
    • Pass criteria: Burst pressure ≥2-3× design value (e.g., design: 200 kPa → burst ≥400 kPa).
  2. Fatigue Cycle Test

    • Perform repeated inflation/deflation (e.g., 10,000 cycles) and check for cracks/deformation at welds.
  3. Peel Strength Test

    • Measure peel force of welded joints using a tensile tester (requirement: ≥50 N/cm; reference: ASTM D1876).

III. Appearance & Dimensional Inspection
Purpose: Ensure defect-free products meet design specifications.
Methods:

  1. Visual Inspection

    • Check welds for bubbles, scorch marks, misalignment, cracks, or contaminants.
  2. Dimensional Measurement

    • Use calipers or optical measurement tools to verify length, width, thickness, and weld width (tolerance: e.g., ±0.5 mm).
  3. Weld Line Evaluation

    • Ensure uniform weld lines; avoid localized thinning causing strength reduction.

IV. Material Property Testing
Purpose: Validate post-welding physical/chemical performance of materials.
Methods:

  1. Material Composition Analysis

    • Analyze weld zones via FTIR or EDS to confirm no degradation/contamination.
  2. Weathering Test

    • Expose airbags to high/low temperatures (-40°C to 80°C) or UV to assess performance changes.
  3. Chemical Resistance Test

    • Test material swelling/discoloration under simulated sweat, grease, etc.

V. Functional Testing
Purpose: Ensure real-world performance of airbags.
Methods:

  1. Inflation Response Time Test

    • Measure time from trigger to full inflation (requirement: ≤0.5 sec per safety standards).
  2. Pressure Distribution Test

    • Use pressure sensors to ensure uniform surface pressure during inflation.
  3. Noise Test

    • Measure noise levels during inflation (requirement: ≤65 dB to avoid user discomfort).