As emission requirements become increasingly more stringent, catalytic converters are being subjected to harsher conditions. These conditions include higher temperatures, increased vibration levels, higher frequencies and more intense exhaust gas impingement on the mat mount. All of which can contribute to the mat mount erosion. Over time, this erosion can lead to catastrophic failure of the catalytic converter either from gas bypass, plugging of the substrate or the loss of substrate retention within the converter.
Several technologies have been developed to reduce mat mount erosion. These technologies include; wiremesh seals, rigidizers, silica cloth edge treatment and polycrystalline edge seals which all are in use today. These erosion reduction technologies provide varying degrees of erosion protection, and each has one or more drawbacks. These drawbacks include cost, productivity, handling and overall performance.
This paper discusses the merits of a novel erosion reducing edge treatment technology. A technology that reduces erosion, while at the same time preserves the mat mount’s handling, and performance properties. The merits of the novel edge treatment technology will be discussed and compared with current erosion protection technologies and methods of application. In addition, the different erosion protection technologies will be compared in simulated laboratory erosion tests.