Alf Degen

High-performance ceramic substrates for catalytic converters

Higher performance requirements for exhaust gas aftertreatment systems for passenger cars have led to the development of high cell density substrates with walls thinner than a human hair. Whereas the majority of these substrates have a square cell geometry, the potential for further emission improvements has been predicted for hexagonal cell structures. In order to verify these predictions, Corning has developed a ceramic substrate that combines the features of high cell density, ultra-thin cell walls and hexagonal cell geometry. The emission tests were conducted by Volkswagen, who compared the new substrate concept with square cell ceramic substrates.