Thermal Cyclic Evaluation of Catalytic Converter Mount Systems

A bench scale thermal cycling device was designed and constructed to expose large numbers of converters to simulated automobile cycling conditions. Ceramic catalytic converter systems exposed to this thermal cycling technique were observed to experience equivalent or more severe aging, depending on the aging temperature, than isothermal exposures.

Cyclic thermal exposures were examined for two mat basis weights. Each mat was examined at two gap bulk densities. Change in converter residual shear strength, as a function of accumulated thermal cycles, was observed to follow a logarithmic relationship. Results of thermal cyclic engine exposures showed a strong correlation with laboratory bench studies.