"Metal shrapnel" refers to small, sharp fragments of metal that are scattered or propelled during an explosion, blast, or impact.
Full definition
The defective airbags are assembled with either a faulty pressure regulator or defective propellant mixture that tends to cause the expulsion of
metal shrapnel into the passenger compartment.
The airbags, made by Japan - based Takata Corp., can rupture or explode with excessive force and
shoot metal shrapnel into the faces and necks of vehicle occupants.
The air bags, made by Japanese supplier Takata Corp., can explode with too much force,
sending metal shrapnel into the passenger compartment.
At least 22 deaths and hundreds of injuries worldwide are linked to Takata inflators that can explode,
unleashing metal shrapnel inside cars and trucks.
To date, manufacturers have recalled more than 100 million vehicles around the world due to Takata airbag inflators that can explode with too much force and send
metal shrapnel throughout the cabin.
Concern: In the event of a collision, if the front passenger airbag is deployed, the excessive pressure could cause the inflator to fragment with the potential to injure vehicle occupants
with metal shrapnel.
The faulty airbags with excessive force are also
throwing metal shrapnel, which is quite harmful for the vehicle occupants.
The NHTSA reports that counterfeit airbags «have been shown to consistently malfunction» and
expelled metal shrapnel during deployment.
Defective Takata airbags are prone to explode or rupture with excessive force and
shoot metal shrapnel into the vehicle compartment.
That recall was prompted by a death in a Ford Ranger linked to faulty Takata inflators and
metal shrapnel.
Safety advocates are comparing the defective airbags to improvised explosive devices (IEDs) due to the extreme hazard of
the metal shrapnel.
When the inflator ruptures passengers are at risk of being injured by the explosion and
metal shrapnel.