When an airbag inflates, what happens to the steering wheel cover/hub/center?

[cbsteh]

I more-or-less understand how and when an airbag in inflated and its purpose. But I am wondering (and no one seems to talk about it) what happens to the steering wheel hub/cover that hides the airbag when the bag inflates?

I mean, does the wheel cover/hub flip open when the bag inflates? Does the cover fly off? Or does it tear/get ripped by the exploding air bag? Wouldn't that be risky because our face might get hit by flying shrapnel (like the car logo or bits of plastic)?

 

[C99D-MMC5537]

The wheel cover will tear. Mostly as i ever seen the tear is in "H" shape with a straight line as if this cover already have the tearable line before airbag deployed.

 

[cbsteh]

The wheel cover will tear. Mostly as i ever seen the tear is in "H" shape with a straight line as if this cover already have the tearable line before airbag deployed.

I thought so. I have seen Nissan wheel cover tear too on a YouTube video...