Exploratory Evaluation of Ceramics for Automobile Thermal Reactors

This report summarizes the results obtained in an exploratory evaluation of ceramics for automobile thermal reactors. Potentially usable ceramic materials were evaluated in several reactor designs employing both engine-dynamometer and vehicle road tests. Silicon carbide contained in a corrugated metal support structure exhibited the best performance, lasting more than 800 h in engine dynamometer tests and for more than 15,000 miles (24,200 km) of vehicle road tests. Although reactors containing glass-ceramic components did not perform as well as silicon carbide, the glass-ceramics still offer good potential for reactor use. The results of this study are considered to be a demonstration of the potential use of ceramics in thermal reactors.