50 cc or 60 cc airbag cartridge: why volume alone is not enough

One cartridge is marked 50 cc or 60 cc. Another shows the same figure and screws in correctly. Does that make them interchangeable? That is exactly the shortcut to avoid.

On an equestrian airbag vest, the cartridge is not simply a universal consumable. It is part of the operation of protective equipment. Your choice must therefore be based on the reference authorised by the manufacturer, not on a visual resemblance or an approximate capacity.

What do “50 cc” and “60 cc” really mean?

“cc” stands for cubic centimetre, a unit of volume. This indication must not be confused with the cartridge’s total weight or the exact mass of CO₂ it contains.

Two cartridges displaying a similar volume may differ in their filling, length, diameter, thread, sealing system or behaviour when pierced.

This is why automatically converting 50 cc or 60 cc into a fixed number of grams would be misleading. The relevant information is the specification printed on the authorised cartridge and stated in the airbag documentation.

Which cartridge should you use with an AXION Equestrian airbag?

The stated capacity depends on the size of the vest:

• sizes 3XS, 2XS and XS: authorised 50 cc cartridge;
• sizes S, M, L and XL: authorised 60 cc cartridge.

This allocation corresponds to the volume of the air chambers and the system characteristics for each size group.

However, the figure alone is not enough. The cartridge must also match the references and specifications authorised in the instructions and labelling of the AXION airbag concerned.

Can you fit a larger cartridge “for better protection”?

No.

A higher-capacity cartridge does not simply improve protection. It changes the conditions specified by the manufacturer and may subject the membrane, seams or mechanism to stresses that have not been validated for that size.

An airbag is not a balloon that you can decide to inflate further. Its volume, pressure, inflation speed and construction form a tested system. Changing one component at random takes you outside that system.

What about a smaller cartridge?

It is not an acceptable temporary solution.

A lower capacity may not achieve the expected volume or pressure within the required time. The vest may appear to have inflated without reproducing the operating conditions for which it was designed.

“Partly inflated” is not a measurable level of protection.

If the cartridge screws in, is it compatible?

Not necessarily.

The thread is only one parameter. A cartridge may fit into the mechanism while having a different length, piercing area, filling or seal.

Apparent mechanical compatibility is therefore not permission to use it. Never carry out an improvised test on the assumption that the system will “see how it goes”.

Can you use a cartridge from another brand?

Only if that exact reference is expressly authorised for your airbag.

The right question is not “Is this a standard cartridge?”, but “Is this specific cartridge authorised by the documentation for my model and size?”.

If the answer is not stated in the instructions or on the label, ask the manufacturer for confirmation before use.

How do you know when a cartridge needs replacing?

A cartridge must be replaced once it has been pierced, even if the airbag was triggered without a fall. It must also not be used if it shows:

• evidence of a significant impact;
• corrosion;
• a damaged thread;
• deformation;
• a puncture or leak;
• a reference that is no longer legible;
• an abnormal weight or appearance compared with the manufacturer’s specifications.

Never attempt to refill a pierced cartridge.

How should spare cartridges be stored?

Keep them in a dry, temperate place, away from direct sunlight, high temperatures, moisture and impacts. Do not leave them loose with tools or at the bottom of a vehicle exposed to summer heat.

For a competition, carry the spare cartridge protected in its packaging, with its reference clearly legible. Check the rules governing air travel and certain shipments before departure, because a compressed-gas cartridge is not handled like an ordinary item of clothing.

After deployment, is replacing the cartridge enough?

No. Replacing the cartridge is only one step.

First inspect the vest, membrane, seams, mechanism, connector cord and saddle strap. The piston and ball must then be repositioned exactly as described in the procedure. Installing a new cartridge on an incorrectly reset mechanism does not make the airbag operational.

Find the full procedure in the AXION cartridge replacement guide.

The rule to remember

The 50 cc or 60 cc figure identifies a capacity category. On its own, it never proves compatibility.

For protective equipment, the correct cartridge meets all three of the following conditions: the right capacity, the right technical specifications and the manufacturer’s express authorisation for your model and size.

Explore the specifications of AXION Equestrian airbag vests and always keep an authorised new cartridge with your competition equipment.