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What Does a Catalytic Converter Do?

What is a Catalytic Converter? 

First and foremost, you need to know what a catalytic converter is. A catalytic converter is an important car component that works to reduce vehicle emissions and pollution. It is a metal canister that is installed in the exhaust system. It is filled with a chemical catalyst, usually a platinum or palladium mixture, and helps convert the vehicle’s emissions into non-harmful gasses. Gasoline powered vehicles accomplish this through the use of three-way converters that combine oxygen (O) with carbon monoxide (CO) and unburned hydrocarbons (HC) to produce carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O) and reduce oxides of Nitrogen (NOx). 

Components Of A Catalytic Converter: 

1. Catalyst Support: A solid with a high surface area where the catalyst is affixed

2. Washcoat: A rough, irregular surface on the catalyst support to greatly increase the amount of surface area to maximize the catalytically active material to react with exhaust gases.

3. Catalyst: Made of platinum, rhodium, and palladium. The catalyst is the material that actually reduces and oxidizes the exhaust gases to chemically change them into less harmful pollutants. Platinum and Rhodium cause reaction, platinum and palladium cause the oxidation. 

Have More Questions About Your Catalytic Converter? 

At Hurricane Automotive, our mission is to supply you with top quality catalytic converters and performance exhaust products for your vehicle from brand names that you can trust. Since the company was founded, we have shipped thousands of catalytic converters and performance exhaust products to satisfied customers throughout the country. If you have more questions or concerns about your catalytic converter, Contact Us. We will be happy to answer all your questions!