Catalytic Converters

In the catalytic converters, the exhaust gases are passed through honeycombed ceramic elements coated with a special surface treatment called 'washcoat'. The washcoat increases the surface area of the ceramic elements by a factor of approximately 7000°. On top of the washcoat is a coating containing palladium and rhodium, which are the active constituents for converting harmful emissions into inert by-products. The palladium and rhodium take oxygen from nitrogen oxides, to leave nitrogen, and combine the oxygen with carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons to leave carbon dioxide and water.