Abstract: A process for producing uncoated woven fabrics from synthetic yarn for an airbag comprises the steps of: (a) producing a woven fabric from high tenacity polyester filament yarn having a filament linear density of not more than 5 dtex, a yarn linear density within the range from 250 to 550 dtex, a hot air shrinkage at 200.degree. C. of less than 9% and a boil off shrinkage of less than 2%, (b) washing the fabric at temperatures of less than 60.degree. C., and (c) drying the washed fabric at temperatures of less than 170.degree. C. under conditions so that the dimensions of the fabric, based on its dimensions prior to washing, do not change at all or by less than 2% in warp and weft directions. The uncoated fabric obtained by this process is particularly suitable for making airbags and is notable for good drapability.

Abstract: There is described an airbag fabric made of a synthetic yarn. The synthetic yarn is a high-tenacity polyester filament yarn having filaments of less than 4 dtex and a yarn count within the range from 250 to 550 dtex. The fabric itself, in contrast to the conventional polyamide fabrics, is uncoated and is preferably made by weaving unsized yarns. The fabric need not be calendered. It has been found that this fabric of fine-filament high-tenacity polyester yarn, although uncoated, does meet the airbag fabric requirements such as low air permeability, low fabric weight, low fabric thickness and high fabric strength.