THERMAL-SHOCK RESISTANCE OF CORDIERITIC FILTER FOR DIESEL-ENGINES

Cordierite porous ceramics are attractive materials for diesel particu late traps, but are sensitive to the thermal shocks provoked by the ig nition of accumulated soot. The present paper reports an investigation on a commercial porous cordierite to be used as a substrate for catal ysts in exhaust pipes. Samples have been subjected to thermal shock te sts to study the response of these ceramics to the repetitive thermal shock that occurs within automotive systems during the regeneration pr ocesses. In particular the effect of thermal treatment on microstructu re and mechanical propel ties has been examined and explained.